Genetic explanation of addiction

Question 1

What is the genetic explanation of addiction

Answer 1

There is evidence that addiction runs in families suggesting that there could be a genetic explanation for addiction.Lots of people do addictive activities, however some will become addicted very quickly. The genetic explanation can explain this through genes.

Question 2

Studies on the genetic explanation of addiction

Answer 2

Dorit Carmelli found that in identical (monozygotic) twins, if one of them was a smoker there was a higher chance of the other one smoking than if the twins were non identical (dizygotic)
Donald Goodwin found that adopted children with at leats one biological parent with alcohol addiction were highly likely to show signs of alcohol addiction themselves

Question 3

What is the role of that DDR2 gene

Answer 3

The DDR2 gene has been shown to be related to developing addiction as many different addictions, including gambling and alcoholism, have been linked to the the variation of this gene known as A1. This gene is thought to affect the way the brain reacts to pleasurable activities so that a person needs to do something more often to get a normal buzz from it

Question 4

Strengths of the explanation

Answer 4

There is a lot of scientific evidence to support the genetic explanation of addiction. Thus the research is more reliable
It would explain why only some people are prone to becoming addicts. This can help us be more understanding as if it is in their genes we cant blame them for getting addicted

Question 5

Weaknesses of the explanation

Answer 5

It is a reductionist explanation as it fails to take other factors such as social factors into account.
Research has not been able to find a single gene to explain where addiction comes from. This makes it difficult to pinpoint exactly what is causing the addiction