Food, Sex, and Internet Addictions (Week 8)

Question 1

Learning Theory

Answer 1

Addictive behaviour can be LEARNED as well as unlearned.

Rewards + Punishment:

• We act to gain rewards and act to avoid punishments.

Question 2

Operant Conditioning

Answer 2

Rewards and punishment change the likelier of repeating an action in the future.

• Positive and negative reinforcement (increase behaviour).
• Punishment (negative behaviour).

Question 3

Positive Reinforcement (Operant Conditioning)

Answer 3

• Increases probability of behaviour by PROVIDING a reward.
• Rewards of addictive behaviours are highly continuous.

Question 4

Negative Reinforcement (Operant Conditioning)

Answer 4

• Increases probability of behaviour by REMOVING discomfort.

Question 5

Punishment (Operant Conditioning)

Answer 5

Decrease improbability of behaviour by APPLYING discomfort.

Need to occur close enough in time in order to work.

• Punishments of addictive behaviours are less contiguous.

Question 6

Classical Conditioning

Answer 6

• Also known as Pavlovian Conditioning.
• When a perviously neutral stimulus becomes associated with specific behaviours or experiences.

Question 7

Conditioned Withdrawal

Answer 7

Classical conditioning.

When exposed to cues, people will experience drug withdrawal.

• ex. one may associate a party with cocaine, so going to a party will make them experience cocaine withdrawal.

Question 9

Drug-Like Responses

Answer 9

• Cues elicit the feeling of the drug.

Question 10

Social Learning Theory

Answer 10

Considers both internal and external causes.

• Desire, motivation, or beliefs (internal cause).
• The environment can affect us and we can affect our environment (external causes).

Key principles:

• Learning can occur from observing others (modelling).
• Learning does NOT guarantee behaviour.
• Reinforcement + punishments are indirect factors of learning.
• Expectation of reward or punishment can motivate behaviour.

Question 11

Food Addiction

Answer 11

Usually associated with junk food.

Can result in both physical and mental consequences.

One may have a food addiction is they experience…

• Cravings despite being full.
• Over-eating when giving into cravings.
• Eat to the point of being stuffed.
• Feelings of guilt, but eat anyways.
• Hide consumption from others.
• Excuse to justify eating trigger food (ex. fast food).
• Set rules have failed.
• Loss of control

Question 12

Sugar “Addiction”

Answer 12

• Sugar activates our reward system (limbic system).
• A sugar crash prompts cravings for continued sugar consumption.
• A sugar high can sometimes mimic a cocaine addiction.
• Sugar is more HABIT forming than addictive.

Question 13

Kleptomania

Answer 13

• The urge to steal without need or profit.
• NOT an addiction.

Question 14

Shopping Addiction

Answer 14

• Uncontrolled, compulsive shopping to the degree that it has serious negative consequences.
• Affects 1 to 8% of people.
• Co-occurs with other impulse control or mood disorders.

Question 15

Sex Addiction

Answer 15

Compulsive engagement in sexual activity.

• Engaging in persistent and escalating patterns of sexual behaviour acted out despite increasing negative consequences to self and others.

Question 16

Signs of a Sex Addiction

Answer 16

• Feeling powerless or like you have lost control over how you act.
• Shame, embarrassment, or self-loathing in regards to acts.
• Try to change part are unable to do so.
• Preoccupation (thinking about sex all the time).

Question 17

Porn Addiction

Answer 17

• Compulsive use of porn despite negative consequences.
• Tolerance: more time needed to be satisfied.
• Withdrawal: distress when use stops.

Question 18

Problematic Internet Use

Answer 18

Or an internet addiction.

Characterized by
excessive or poorly controlled preoccupations, urges or behaviours regarding Internet use that lead to impairment or distress.

Three subtypes:

• Excessive gaming.
• Sexual preoccupations (cybersex).
• E-mail/text messaging.

Each of the subtypes share the following four components:

• Excessive use, often associated with a loss of sense of time or a neglect of basic drives.
• Withdrawal: feelings of anger, tension, and/or depression when the
  computer is inaccessible.
• Tolerance: the need for
  better computer equipment, more software, or more hours of
  use.
• Adverse consequences: arguments, lying, poor achievement, social isolation, and fatigue.

Question 19

Social Media Addiction

Answer 19

A behavioural addiction that involves compulsive use of social media platforms.

• Network effect and connection.
• Obsessed with notifications and numbers.
• Personalized content.
• Funny, heartwarming, educational, enraging, etc.

Question 20

Online Gaming Addiction

Answer 20

Considered a DSM “condition for further study” (most likely to get into the next version).

Typical addicts are males between 12 to 20 years old.

Does NOT include internet based gaming.

Proposed criteria includes…

• Preoccupation with online gaming.
• Withdrawal occurs when not playing.
• Tolerance is built up (need to play more hours as games get more complicated).
• Tried to stop without success.
• Overuse despite negative impact.
• Lies about usage.
• Games relieve anxiety/guilt.
• Loss or risked relationships.