Explanations for nicotine addiction: Learning theory

Question 1

Operant conditioning - Positive reinforcement

Learning theory (nicotine)

Answer 1

If consequence of behaviour is rewarding, behaviour is more likely to be repeated
Nicotine is powerful reinforcer because of physiological effect on DA reward system of mesolimbic pathway
Drug stimulates release of DA in nucleus accumbens, producing feeling of mild euphoria
Koob & Le Moal - +reinforcemnt can explain early stages of smoking addiction

Question 2

Operant conditioning - Negative reinforcement

Learning theory (nicotine)

Answer 2

Cessation of nicotine leads to acute withdrawal syndrome w/ behavioural & cog effects and mood disturbances
Wide-ranging wihdrawal symps make it hard for smoker to abstain for long - reduce effects by smoking again
There4. smoking cig reinforces because it stops unpleasant stimulus
Smokers become skilled at anticipating withdrawal symps & avoiding them

Question 3

Primary & Secondary reinforcers

Learning theory (nicotine)

Answer 3

Primary - pleasurable effect of smoking because it’s intrinsically rewarding due to effects on brain’s DA reward system
Secondary reinforcers - Other stimuli present at same time as smoking become associated w/ pleasure effect (i.e. rituals, feeling of cig pack, smell of tobacco)

Question 4

Cue reactivity

Learning theory (nicotine)

Answer 4

Secondary reinforcers act as cues because their presence produces similar physiological & psychological responses to nicotine itself
3 main elements of cue reactivity:
- Subjective desire or craving for cig
- Physiological signs of reactivity, including autonomic responses
- Objective bevahoural indicators

Question 5

Research support

Learning theory (nicotine)

Answer 5

Strength - support from animal studies
Levin et al - rats could lick 2 h2o spouts; one triggered intravenous dose of nicotine & other had no reward
Rats licked nicotine spout sigly more often
There4, effects of nicotine positively reinforce self-administration in rats, implying there is similar mechanism in humans

Question 6

Support for cue reactivity

Learning theory (nicotine)

Answer 6

Strength - human research for effects of cues
Carter & Tiffany conducted meta-analysis of 41 studies into cue reactivity
Presented non- & dependent smokers w/ images of smoking related cues
Self-reported desire was measured w/ indicators of physiological arousal
Dependent smokers reacted more strongly & reported strong cravings to smoke
There4, dependent smokers learn secondary associations between smoking-related stimuli & pleasurable effects of smoking

Question 7

Real-world application

Learning theory (nicotine)

Answer 7

Strength - nicotine treatment programmes based on classical conditioning principles
Aversion therapy uses counterconditioning to treat addiction
Smith’s ppts gave themselves electric shocks whenever they engaged in smoking related behaviours
After 1 year, 52% of ppts were still abstaining compared to 20-25% who abstained after deciding to give up
There4, treatments based on learning theory can save NHS resources, improve health & save lives

Question 8

Real-world application - Counterpoint

Learning theory (nicotine)

Answer 8

Study didn’t use control group
Comparison made in study is not valid measure of effectiveness
On this weak basis, other treatments could claim to be more beneficial
Also evidence from higher quality studies show benefits of aversion therapy are short lived
There4, counterconditioning may not be an effective method of addiction treatment