HEALTH learning explanation for heroin addiction

Question 1

A01 points for paragraph 1

Answer 1

• one learning explanation for heroin addiction is Social Learning Theory (SLT). this theory suggests that behaviour such as heroin addiction may be learned through observation of others.
• an individual may observe a role model who is using heroin and may identify with this role model.
• identification with the role model is more likely if they are the same sex as the individual, a similar age or higher status, for example a celebrity.

Question 2

A03 positive point for paragraph 1

Answer 2

SUPPORTING EVIDENCE : Friedman et al. (1985)
used a structured interview on 157 teenagers to investigate smoking imitation and found that peer encouragement and exposure to smoking peers were significant risk factors associated with onset and continued smoking. Heroin use may also be learned in the same way from peers rather than due to genes such as the DRD2 A1 variant.
HOWEVER, this research did not directly investigate heroin use, and therefore extrapolation is limited.

Question 3

A03 negative point for paragraph 1

Answer 3

REFUTING EVIDENCE : Vereczkei (2013)
found that the A1 variant of the DRD2 gene was overexpressed in 303 Hungarian heroin addicts compared to 555 controls by analysing their genotype data using cheek swabs. the use of a control group allowed Vereczkei to make comparisons between heroin addicts and non-addicts

Question 4

A01 points for paragraph 2

Answer 4

• an individual will pay attention to the behaviour being modelled (in this case, dissolving the heroin, preparing the syringe, and making a tourniquet) and will retain this information until they later have a suitable opportunity to reproduce it.
• the individual’s motivation to reproduce the behaviour is likely to come from vicarious reinforcement (seeing the role model being reinforced for using heroin e.g. feelings of intense euphoria).

Question 5

A03 positive point for paragraph 2

Answer 5

CREDIBILITY : focuses on observable behaviour
SLT is based upon evidence from measuring outward, observable behaviours such as whether the individual has imitated the behaviour of injecting heroin. such evidence is obtained using empirical methods therefore increasing the scientific credibility of the explanation for heroin addiction.

Question 6

A03 negative point for paragraph 2

Answer 6

CREDIBILITY : not good for explaining continued use
whilst SLT is useful when explaining why an individual will initially take drugs because of imitation and vicarious reinforcement, it is unable to adequately explain the continued use (maintenance) of heroin. Once the individual has injected heroin, the biological explanation would be more plausible in explaining why the individual would continue to use heroin due to a physical dependency.

Question 7

A01 points for paragraph 3

Answer 7

• an individual will observe a role model having a good time whilst using heroin and receiving attention from others. this will indirectly reinforce the individual, who will want to imitate heroin use to receive the same attention.
• when presented with an opportunity to imitate the behaviour, for example whilst at a party, the individual will inject heroin.

Question 8

A03 positive point for paragraph 3

Answer 8

USEFUL APPLICATION : development of anti-drug campaigns
SLT has informed the development of anti-drug campaigns based on the Hovland-Yale model of persuasion where a credible source (such as a recovering heroin addict) will convey the costs and benefits of not using heroin. the audience are more likely to listen to the message and implement the campaign’s strategies to prevent or reduce their heroin use

Question 9

A03 negative point for paragraph 3

Answer 9

ALTERNATIVE EXPLANATION : DRD2 gene
SLT is challenged by the biological explanation for heroin addiction which argues that heroin addiction is due to physiological changes in the brain brought about by the A1 variant of the DRD2 gene. this challenges the idea that heroin addiction is due to observation and imitation of a role model.

Question 10

A03 positive point for conclusion`

Answer 10

HOLISTIC : combines a number of factors
SLT acknowledges different elements to explain heroin addiction including cognitive processes such as retention and attention, behaviourist principles such as reinforcement and social factors such as the influence of others around us (peers, family etc.) SLT is more holistic than other explanations for heroin addiction such as the DRD2 explanation which isolates a specific gene.

Question 11

A03 negative point for conclusion

Answer 11

NATURE NURTURE : only focuses on nurture
SLT takes the nurture side of the nature-nurture debate because it argues that heroin addiction is due to imitation of role models in their environment. by only taking one side of the debate to explain heroin addiction, it fails to acknowledge the interaction between both nature and nurture in both the uptake and maintenance of heroin addiction.