MOM AO2 Flashcards
individual difference explanation as a MOM addiction
Addictions are thought to be caused by the habitual ways of thinking about and interpreting events that might lead to the development of
addictive behaviour.
- therefore the development of an addiction does not depend on the properties of the drug or activity alone, but also on the
reasons for taking it or engaging in the activity.
- Cognitive biases could be managed in the treatment of addictive behaviour via cognitive restructuring. In cognitive restructuring, clients
are taught to appreciate that the thoughts they have whilst gambling are irrational.
- Fortune and Goodie (2012) report that some studies have used these ideas as part of a broader cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) while others have tried to focus on correcting specific beliefs and biases.
Both methods have shown some success in treating gambling
addiction.
social psychological method of modifying addiction
perception of social norms can have an effect on an individuals behaviour. individuals often overestimate the amount of alcohol that their peers drink and that it is more socially acceptable than it actually is. we can possibly design interventions to stop students consuming more alcohol due to an overestimation of social norms. SNMA: adverts focus on providing info about how much students typically drink, providing information could help combat over-estimation of social norms
Moore et al.
social psychological method of modifying addiction
what is the SNMA
aims to alter students perceptions of their peers drinking habits through the use of the mass media and other communication techniques
Moore research
social psychological method of modifying addiction
he used beer mats, leaflets and posters containing phrases such as ‘those around you are drinking less than you think’ follow up surveys found those who recalled the materials reported lower perceived social norms than those who didn’t. effects on drinking were unclear
biological explanation as a way of MOM addiction
Addictions are thought to arise due to activation of
dopamine receptors in the mesolimbic pathway. Activation
of this part of the brain provides a sensation of reward.
- Therefore, any treatment for addiction might target this
pathway and altering the production of dopamine.
- Agonist substitutes e.g. methadone work by mimicking the action of dopamine. This is so that withdrawal symptoms can be managed.
- The individual’s addiction is swapped to one which is safer
and controllable. Gradually the individual will be weaned off
this until they neither require the original drug nor the
methadone replacement.
- Antagonists block the action of dopamine by binding to, but
not stimulating dopamine receptors. Dopamine is, therefore, unable to gain access rendering the activity unpleasurable.
