Learning theory as an explanation of nicotine and gambling addiction Flashcards
what does learning theory suggest nicotine addiction is the result of
the environment engaging with peers and stimuli to condition and reinforce an addiction
how does learning theory suggest nicotine addiction is initiated
Vicarious reinforcement
–> people begin to smoke through observing others engage in the behaviour whos rewarded for it
- e.g social rewards (popularity etc)
how does learning theory suggest nicotine addiction is maintained
Operant conditioning
–> people maintain smoking as it relieves stress (negative reinforcement)
–> people maintain smoking as they’re rewarded by peers for engaging in behaviour (positive reinforcement)
how does learning theory suggest nicotine addiction relapse occurs
classical conditioning (cue reactivity)
–> it is thought when people smoke they smoke in similar environments at similar times – therefore associate environmental stimuli with smoking known as secondary reinforcers
–> after they quit smoking seeing this stimuli produces the response of starting smoking again as a matter of association
what is a strength of learning theory as an explanation of nicotine addiction
P: one strength of LT is theres research support
E: karcher and finn found peer influence has a significant role in smoking initiation and maintenance – close friends had a multiplier influence of 8
E: this support LT, it demonstrate that individuals are likely to imitate behaviours they see being rewarded in others – reinforces the role of classical and operant conditioning in nic addiction
L: therefore, strengthens the validity of LT – highlights environmental influences and how it contributes to initiation, maintenance of smoking behaviour
what is a limitation of learning theory as an explanation of nicotine addiction
P: LT cannot explain why some individuals who don’t become addicted after trying one cig
E: according to operant + classical conditioning the immediate pleasure of nicotine should reinforce smoking behaviour to continue
E: However, this won’t always occur due to other factors genetic predisposition personally, brain chem, etc
L: contradicts LTs assumption that reinforcement alone is enough to drive addiction which suggests a model using bio and psych factors is needed
what does learning theory suggest how gambling addiction is learnt through
gambling addiction is learned from the environment through either conditioning or reinforcement
how is a gambling addiction initiated
vicarious reinforcement
for example: we may begin to gamble as we observe others being rewarded (societal, monetary, community etc) –> therefore we engage in the behaviour for the rewards
how is a gambling addiction maintained
operant conditioning
partial reinforcement
variable reinforcement
explain how operant conditioning maintains gambling addiction
explains why gambling is maintained through direct pos+neg reinforcement
gamblers rewarded for engaging in behaviour by winning money, physiological, psychological, social rewards – pos
it can also be an escape from issues – neg
explain how partial reinforcement maintains gambling addiction
the idea that wins only follow some bets – the unpredictability of results that makes us more likely to continue
what are the 4 different types of partial reinforcement
fixed intervals - e.g rewarded every 20 secs
fixed variable - e.g rewarded every 4th response
variable interval - e.g 4 times within an hour, but not sure when in the hour
variable ratio - e.g no win pattern at all
explain how variable reinforcement maintains gambling addiction
variable ratio - produces the most persistent learning leading to addiction.
The variability and unpredictability –> explains why people continue to gamble even after huge loss as they know they’ll win at some point
according to LT how do gamblers relapse
classical conditioning due to cue reactivity
when people gamble, gambling in similar environments etc allows person to associating gambling with specific stimuli, acting as a secondary reinforcers
therefore, after cessation they may see stimuli which then triggers gambling response
a strength of the learning theory explanation for gambling addiction
P: a strength of this explanation is theres research support
E: for example, dickerson found regular gamblers were more likely to place bets right before a race compared to casual gamblers – suggests prolonging excitement of potentially winning , acts as a form of pos reinforce to continue gambling
E: supports the theory as it shows rewarding effects of gambling reinforces the behaviour which makes it likely to be maintained
L: Therefore, this research strengthens the validity of LT by highlighting how immediate + anticipated rewards contribute to maintain gambling behaviour
