Evaluation of Genetic risk factors in addiction

Question 1

AO3 - Supporting Evidence

Answer 1

Using an adoption study, Shields et al (1962) examined the concordance between 42 twin pairs that were reared apart. only 9 pairs were actually disordant, showing how genetic similarity is a major factor in starting to smoke.

• Adoption study
• Shields et al (1962)
• 42 twin pairs
• 9 pairs

Question 2

A03 - more supporting research

Answer 2

Shah et al (2005) used dults to find strong evidence of genetic transmission in men.
Black et al (2006) also found that 1st degree relatives of gambling adddicts were much more likley to sudder the same fate as to more distant relatives.

• Shah et al (2005)
• genetic transmission in men
• Black et al (2006)
• 1st degree relatives

Question 3

A03 - A negative?

Answer 3

P) However, a weakness of the genetic factors in addiction is it is biologically reductionist as it suggests that a person is more likely to become addicted based on they genetic makeup.

E) Thereofore it doesn’t take into account other factors such as the envioment. for example, a person that doesn’t have a genetic vulnurability to addiction could still become addicted due to social factors (peer pressure).

E) An interactionist approach combing social and genetic factors would be more appropiate and could lead to more effective methods to treat addiction.

L) Therefore the gentic influences approach may not be the most valid as it doesn[t account for other factors and needs to be more holistic.

• biologically reductionist
• other factors such as enviorment
• interactionist approach
• holistic needed