Explanations for Nicotine Addiction - Learning Theory Flashcards
Outline the learning theory including cue reactivity as an explanation for nicotine addiction (6 marks)
The learning theory into nicotine addiction suggests that nicotine addiction is a learnt behaviour. An addiction is formed through positive reinforcement where an individual is rewarded with the feeling of euphoria when they inhale nicotine which activates the brains reward pathway. Therefore, the person will smoke again to get the same reward of euphoria. The addiction is maintained through operant conditioning where people keep smoking though negative reinforcement as a person continues smoking to avoid the negative withdrawal symptoms such as feeling anxious or nauseous. A cue in the environment triggers a craving for a cigarette so overtime a person learns to associate smoking with a stimuli e.g. the pub as they are repeatedly associated. Every time that stimuli occurs a craving for nicotine also occurs, so the individual is motivated to repeat the smoking behaviour.
Outline the learning theory including cue reactivity as an explanation for nicotine addiction (6 marks)
The learning theory into nicotine addiction suggests that nicotine addiction is a learnt behaviour. An addiction is formed through positive reinforcement where an individual is rewarded with the feeling of euphoria when they inhale nicotine which activates the brains reward pathway. Therefore, the person will smoke again to get the same reward of euphoria. The addiction is maintained through operant conditioning where people keep smoking though negative reinforcement as a person continues smoking to avoid the negative withdrawal symptoms such as feeling anxious or nauseous. A cue in the environment triggers a craving for a cigarette so overtime a person learns to associate smoking with a stimuli e.g. the pub as they are repeatedly associated. Every time that stimuli occurs a craving for nicotine also occurs, so the individual is motivated to repeat the smoking behaviour.
Discuss the learning theory as an explanation for nicotine addiction (3 X AO3)
Research to support the learning theory of addiction, in particular cue reactivity, was conducted by Carter and Tiffany. They conducted a meta-analysis of 41 studies into cue reactivity. They presented dependent, non-dependent smokers and non-smokers with smoking related cues such as lighters. Self reported desire was measured alongside heart rate. They found that dependent smokers reacted most strongly to the cues for example increased heart rate and reported cravings to smoke. This supports cue reactivity as an explanation for smoking behaviour because the dependent smokers had learned secondary associations between smoking related stimuli and the pleasurable effects of smoking.
However, The learning theory of nicotine addiction is criticised for environmental determinism. This is because is it states that an individual is controlled by reinforcements and associations that cause behaviour. For example, if person is rewarded for smoking by the feeling of euphoria, they will inevitably smoke again to get the same reward. This neglects the role of free will and choice and individual has, for example, a person may choose not to continue smoking despite the pleasurable reward, for health reasons. The learning theory cannot account for this and therefore may not be a full explanation of smoking behaviour.
The learning theory of nicotine addiction has practical applications. This is because the principles of the theory, that addiction is caused by pleasant associations such as cue reactivity has led to behavioural interventions such as aversion therapy and covert sensitisation. This is effective in treating nicotine addiction by encouraging a patient to re-associate nicotine with negative feelings for example, nausea, rather than a feeling of pleasure. Therefore, the learning theory of smoking behaviour is an important part of applied psychology as it helps treat nicotine addiction in the real world.
