Evaluation: Addiction Genes

Question 1

Why are twin studies effective when conducting research into addiction genes?
(the difference between initiation and maintenance)

Answer 1

• They demonstrate the influence of genetic factors in addiction.

Question 2

Describe Kevin Kendler and Carol Prescott’s 1999 research involving twin studies and cocaine.
(the difference between initiation and maintenance)

Answer 2

• Interviewed nearly 2000 twins.
• Findings: social and environmental factors influenced whether someone would initiate cocaine use.
• BUT addiction was more dependent on genetic factors.

Question 3

What did Kendler and Prescott find regarding concordance rates for cocaine initiation and cocaine dependence?
(the difference between initiation and maintenance)

Answer 3

• Concordance for cocaine addiction: MZ Twins = 54%
  DZ Twins = 42%
• Concordance for cocaine dependence: MZ Twins = 35%
  DZ Twins = 0%
• There’s a substantial difference, suggesting a greater role for genetic factors in addiction, rather than the decision to use it.

Question 4

The relationship between genetics and addiction is more (blank) than it first appears.
(a ‘gene’ for addiction?)

Answer 4

• Complex.

Question 5

What other genes exist that have been connected to addiction, other than ADH and DRD2?
(a ‘gene’ for addiction?)

Answer 5

• Rsu1.

Question 6

What did Shamsideen Ojelade et al’s 2015 research into Rsu1 find?
(a ‘gene’ for addiction?)

Answer 6

• Rsu1 gene wasn’t functioning correctly in fruit flies which caused a lowered sensitivity to alcohol.

Question 7

What did brain imaging testing for Rsu1 in humans find?

a ‘gene’ for addiction?

Answer 7

• Found a relationship between Rsu1 and alcohol dependence.

Question 8

As a range of genes have been identified, what does this mean for the idea of there being a set ‘gene’ for addiction?
(a ‘gene’ for addiction?)

Answer 8

• Can’t say that there’s a ‘gene’ for addiction.

- Different types of addiction may be caused by different genetic mechanisms.

Question 9

Why is determinism a key strength of biological explanations?
(determinism)

Answer 9

• Explains why only some become addicted even though many try the behaviour.

Question 10

What does a determinist view suggest in terms of addiction?

determinism

Answer 10

• A reduced sense of blame upon the addicts as it suggests a lack of control.

Question 11

Why might a deterministic view of addiction be disadvantageous?
(determinism)

Answer 11

• Person may see addiction as unstoppable consequence of their genetic make-up, meaning that they take less responsibility for their recovery.
• Taking responsibility is important when battling to overcome addiction.

Question 12

Why is the idea of addiction genes often criticised?

role of social and cultural factors

Answer 12

• Ignoring roles played by other factors.

Question 13

What did Kenneth Kendler et al (2000) find out about the heritability of tobacco use?
(role of social and cultural factors)

Answer 13

• Heritability of tobacco use changed over time.

Question 14

What did Kenneth Kendler et al’s research into the heritability of Swedish twin pairs find?
(role of social and cultural factors)

Answer 14

• Twin pairs born between 1910 and 1958.
• Women born earlier = little influence of genetic factors.
• Women born later = Heritability around 60%
• Role for men = relatively stable.

Question 15

What might have influenced the difference between the heritability of tobacco use in men and women in Kenneth Kendler’s research?
(role of social and cultural factors)

Answer 15

• Changing attitudes towards women smokers may have influenced the likelihood of genetic predisposition expressing itself.

Question 16

What did Jason Boardman et al’s 2008 research into siblings and twin pairs find?
(role of social and cultural factors)

Answer 16

• There was a strong genetic component in the onset of smoking behaviour.
• BUT rate for daily smoking varied across the samples of schools.

Question 17

In Jason Boardman’s research, where was the heritability rate found to be the highest, and why was this?
(role of social and cultural factors)

Answer 17

• In schools where the most popular students were smokers.

- Influence of social factors (peers) impacted whether genetic predisposition expressed itself.

Question 18

How do biological explanations explain addiction?

rejection of the disease model of addiction

Answer 18

• Disease of brain and body.

- Requires treatment like a physical illness.

Question 19

Why does ex-addict and neuroscientist, Marc Lewis, find the view of addiction as a disease unhelpful to addicts? What view does he believe should be followed instead?
(rejection of the disease model of addiction)

Answer 19

• Labling as a disease can damage self-esteem and make them feel helpless in overcoming it.
• Changes in brain should be considered as a form of learning, not a disease. This view is helpful in overcoming addiction.