Nicotine Addiction- Learning Theory and Cue Reactivity Flashcards
What is the social learning theory explanation of nicotine addiction?
- Nicotine addiction could be easily picked up through vicarious reinforcement and learning from equal status (peers) and higher status (parent) role models
- If this pattern of behaviour is repeated several times, not only is this legitimising smoking as acceptable, but we are likely to remember this event and be motivated to repeat the behaviour ourselves (chasing this negative reinforcement)
What did Skinner say about smoking maintenance through consequential learning and peer acceptance and why did he say it?
WHAT:
- Immediate reinforcers take precedence over the long term consequences of addictive behaviours
- The fact that 25% of inhaled nicotine reaches the brain in less than 10 seconds validates this argument
WHY:
- He theorised we’re empty organisms with no capacity to consider long term effects, we’re only capable of making bland stimulus response links
What is the research on peer acceptance as a form of smoking reinforcement?
Milton et al found that young smokers identified peer influence as an important factor in smoking, and the rejection from a peer group is key
What is the maintenance negative reinforcement explanation of cue reactivity?
- As the effects of tobacco start to wear off with repeated exposure, users can experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms (nausea, insomnia, cravings)
- Taking more nicotine stops these negative experiences occurring
- As this further use removes the negative states and provides more pleasure, this is likely to increase the frequency of smoking and subsequent addiction
- Hence, maintaining pleasurable effects from tobacco acts as a negative reinforcer
What is the relapse explanation of cue reactivity and who is it by?
- Carter and Tiffany
- Classical conditioning claims smoking is often maintained and relapsed due to triggers or cues in the environment that we have learnt to associate with smoking addiction
- These triggers are referred to as a conditioned stimulus and through classical conditioning these cues will elicit conditioned responses, even in the absence of actual smoking behaviour
If the point is:
A strength of the cue reactivity theory is that it has led to useful practical applications which help to treat those suffering from smoking addiction.
What is the explanation and link?
Explanation- Cue exposure therapy involves presenting the cue to the individual and helping them control their reaction to it. In this way, the response of smoking the presence of alcohol, lighters and their peers fades away or extinguishes. This is thought to be more effective than simply trying to avoid these cues, such as never drinking.
Link- This implies that the learning theory of smoking addiction and ideas around cue reactivity can help the 14% of the UK population to quit smoking.
If the point is:
A weakness of the cue reactivity theory is that it neglects to consider individual differences.
What is the evidence and link?
Evidence- Robinson and Berridge argue that many people try drugs yet do not become addicted despite the rewarding experiences on offer. This suggests that other factors must also be at work that allow some, yet not others, to become full blown addicts.
Link- This implies that other biological and psychological factors, such as personalty, may be needed to fully explain nicotine addiction
If the point is:
A strength of the cue reactivity theory is that it’s consistent with neurological findings that drugs have rewarding properties and how nature and nurture may both contribute to drug abuse.
What is the evidence and link?
Evidence- The theory is compatible with the neural explanation of nicotine addiction, as it focuses on the idea of nicotine being positively reinforced in the form of peer approval. This would imply that, to remove this addiction, you should tackle both the biochemical action through nicotine replacement therapy and the environmental features.
Link- This means that the explanation provides a more comprehensive account of substance misuse than other theories focusing purely on nature or nurture alone.
If the point is:
A strength of the cue reactivity theory is that there is experimental support that illustrates the role of vicarious reinforcement in smoking behaviour.
What is the evidence and link?
Evidence- Harakeh et al investigated the role of peers and siblings in smoking behaviour with 428 families with 2 adolescent kids through surveys. Results showed that non smokers with older siblings and best friends who were smokers were more likely to have started smoking 1 year later. This shows how vicarious learning from friends and older siblings influence the initiation of smoking addiction.
Link- This illustrates that vicarious reinforcement plays a part in smoking addiction.
What are the evaluation points for the cue reactivity theory?
+ Led to useful practical applications to help treat those who suffer from smoking addiction
– Neglects to consider individual differences
+ Explanation is consistent with neurological findings that drugs have rewarding properties and how nature and nurture may both contribute to drug abuse
+ Experimental support that illustrates the role of vicarious reinforcement in smoking behaviour
