paper 3 2017 Flashcards
Describe one social psychological explanation for addictive behaviours. (10)
Credit could be given for:
Candidates are likely to choose from those identified on the specification.
Co-morbidity with mental illness.
Peer pressure.
Role of the media.
Co-morbidity with mental illness
The high prevalence of co-morbidity between drug use and other mental
illnesses does not mean that one causes the other. It is very difficult to
establish a causal relationship here. This said, there are some interesting
avenues of research in order to explain addictive behaviour.
Addiction to drugs can cause the abusers to experience one or more
symptoms of other mental illness. For example it is possible in
marijuana addicts to have an increased likelihood of psychosis.
Alternatively, mental illnesses may lead to drug use to reduce the
symptoms of a mental health disorder ( e.g. amphetamines to avoid
symptoms of depression)
Both mental health disorder and addiction problem may be caused by
an overlapping factor such as early exposure to stress / trauma or
possibility genetic vulnerability.
Peer Pressure
As far as addictive behaviour is concerned the influence of peer pressure
can be explained through:
Social Identity theory (Abrams and Hogg) – Conforming to peer
pressure can be viewed as a form of normative social influence. There
is a desire to be accepted. If a group adopts an addictive behaviour,
then such a behaviour forms part of the norms of that group. An
individual will internalise such norm as in an attempt to show allegiance
to the group by identifying with it. The individual identifies with the in
group – distancing themselves form the (non-addicted) out-group.
Social Learning Theory (Bandura, 1977) Addictive behaviour, like any
behaviour for Bandura is the result of observation and imitation of a
role model’s behaviour. In peer groups it is not uncommon for
behaviour to be imitated from those they have most contact with.
Role of the Media
With easy access to varied forms of media now, information can be passed
so quickly. It is argued by some researchers that the media is a medium of
concern in that it has the power to affect people’s attitudes and behaviours.
For example through films / music role models can promote dependency.
Gunesekera et al (2005), Sulkunen (2007) and Sergent et al ( 2009) are
common studies to descriptively illustrate the role of the media in
encouraging addictive behaviours.
Laurence is a young apprentice working at a garage. Whenever the mobile tool
seller arrives, Laurence just has to buy more tools for himself. He can barely
afford the tools he buys, yet he just has to continue buying.
Laurence is referred by his doctor to a psychologist for treatment. Evaluate one
method for modifying his behaviour. (15)
Credit could be given for:
It is likely that candidates will select from those methods identified from the
specification. Examiners need to be sensitive to the possibility that some
candidates may present other techniques that provide a means of
behaviour change for addictive behaviour. Examiners may need to
establish the validity of these, and then apply mark scheme accordingly.
Noted on the specification:
Agonist and antagonist substitution.
Aversion therapy.
Agonist and Antagonist Substitution
Agonist: A treatment that aims to treat individuals through maintenance /
substitution treatment systems.
Antagonist: Although a form of treatment as a last resort. Such treatments
involve the blocking / limiting of effect of substances on the brain resulting in
withdrawal of pleasure.
Aversion Therapy: Clearly illustrated in the film Clockwork Orange, this
(ethically questionable) therapy uses conditioning techniques (Classical
Conditioning) from the Behaviourist approach to get an individual that might
have obsessions or addictions to associate the addicted items / things with
something undesirable ( e.g. nausea, electric shock). In theory the patient
will overtime come to associate the addicted item to the negative
experience, and thus recue cravings for addicted item in order to avoid
negative experience.
The question requests that one is evaluated. If more than one is
evaluated, examiners should read through and credit the better of the
evaluations advanced. A response that purely describes the methods
receives no credit.
Credit could be given for:
Application of the method of modifying behaviour to scenario of
Laurence. The degree to which the candidate refers to and engages
with scenario determining progression through mark bands.
Credit could be given for:
Presentation of evidence to illustrate support for the effectiveness of the technique to
modify addictive behaviour (e.g. research conducted by NICE, Van den Brink et al,
2006 – Agonist / Antagonist ; Staffen, (2003), Jorgensen et al (2011) – Aversion
Therapy).
Presentation of research evidence to illustrate the lack of effectiveness of the
technique to modify addictive behaviour (e.g. ethical issues such as consent, and the
real issue of social power of the therapist though compliance as seen in Aversion
Therapy or the very evident side effects that drug therapy often involves, as well as
well-established financial costs to society – seen with Agonist / Antagonist
substitution).
Stronger students might add to the effectiveness of their evaluation by making
comparisons between the merits of one technique to another. (For example both
treatments have ethical issues, some would argue that say with Methadone simple
one addiction is replaced by another – unlike Aversion Therapy).
Any other relevant evaluation points.
NB: While it is unlikely, but still possible some candidates might take a route of
evaluation where they give an evaluation of the psychological approaches upon
which the methods to modify behaviour are based upon. This is acceptable but
must be contextualised to the method of modifying addictive behaviour.
Describe anger management as a technique for modifying criminal behaviours (10)
Credit could be given for:
This question specifically asks for knowledge of anger management. Other
methods of modifying behaviour here will not be credit worthy.
Anger Management, a technique for reducing anger originally based upon a
model put forward by Ray Novaco. It was his view that anger had biological,
cognitive and behavioural aspects / elements to it.
There are many different examples of anger management techniques, a
British example would be CALM (Controlling Anger and Learning to Manage
it). Essentially what most systems have is a focus on teaching relaxation
techniques with the aim of reducing the biological changes / response to
anger. Cognitive restructuring is used to deal with problematic thought
patterns. To deal with the behavioural element, assertiveness training is
used. While different techniques of anger management might have varying
numbers of stages, the principles remain the same. (1) Cognitive
preparation, (2) Skills acquisition and (3) Application practice.
Emily is a support worker for James who has demonstrated criminal behaviour.
A psychologist suggested that she might look at social psychology for potential
explanations.
Evaluate one social psychological explanation of criminal behaviour in order to
help Emily understand James’ behaviour. (15)
Credit can be given for:
Application to the scenario of Emily through evaluative comments about:
Explanations that focus on the behaviour of the children Emily deals
with in terms of learning criminal behaviour via learning the techniques,
motives and values that lie behind it.
Explanations that focus on the behaviour of the children Emily deals
with in terms of the potential differences in content and form of
socialisation of each gender.
Explanations that focus on the behaviour of the children Emily deals
with in terms of the social processes (e.g. idealised norms of conduct
and the subsequent reward and punishment of individuals for
conforming to or deviating from this ideal).
Credit could be given for:
Evaluation could take the form of:
Supporting research being used to illustrate the validity of the
explanation advanced (e.g. for Differential Association theory
Sutherland, O’Grady)
Evaluation of methodology of research used to support explanations
is possible, but should only gain credit if the candidate links the
evaluation of methodology they make back to the explanation
being evaluated.
Evaluation of the explanation by means of comparison illustrating
strengths or weaknesses as a result.
