Evaluation: Dopamine

Question 1

Paul stokes Et al.(2009)

Answer 1

found no significant increase in dopamine levels in volunteers taking cannabis

May not be appropriate to say that dopamine explains all addictions.

Question 2

The complexity of the role of dopamine

Answer 2

Explaining addictions simply due to the effects of dopamine ignores the fact dopamine has a range of other functions as well.

Question 3

Israel Liberzon et al. (1999)

Answer 3

showed increased activation in the NAc in war veterans suffering from PTSD when reminded of battle through combat sounds, does not match the idea of this area being about pleasure. Suggesting brain systems also motivate us to avoid something unpleasant.

Question 4

David Nutt et al. (2015)

Answer 4

Criticised methodology used by research in this area. Samples often small and when participants are given the substance, they are often given it in a different form (e.g nicotine inhalers rather than cig) and done in lab rather than natural environment, meaning measured effects may not be accurate.

Question 5

Karmen Yoder et al. (2007)

Answer 5

found no consistent increase in dopamine across the participants in their study who were given alcohol.

Question 6

Dopamine and aversive stimuli

Answer 6

Studies have suggested that dopamine levels increase in the presence of aversive stimuli, suggesting that brain systems not only motivate us to seek something pleasant but also help up to avoid something unpleasant.

Question 7

Israel Liberzon (1999)

Answer 7

Showed increased activation in the nucleus accumbens in war veterans suffering from ptsd when reminded of battle through combat sounds.