Psychology B2 -physiological addiction

Question 1

genetic predisposition

Answer 1

-genes = risk factor for nicotine addiction
-genetic influences contributed 53% to the risk of taking up smoking (carmelli et al 1991)
-42 pairs of twins raised apart, 33 out of 42 concordant for smoking (shields 1962)

Question 2

nicotine and its interaction with neurotransmission

Answer 2

1. nicotine binds receptors on neuron in VENTRAL TEGMENTAL AREA
2. electrical impulses travels down neuron axon
3. dopamine is released at axon terminals in nucleus accumbens and prefrontal cortex – binds to dopamine on other neurons
4. leads to rewarding effects of smoking; relaxation, ‘buzz’, increased ability to focus

Question 3

dopamine

Answer 3

-gives people a ‘buzz’

Question 4

maintenance

Answer 4

-constant stimulation of the dopamine receptors, reduce sensitivity
-person smokes to prevent withdrawal symptoms
-more they smoke, build up a tolerance, need more of a ‘buzz’

Question 5

schachter (1977)

Answer 5

-nicotine regulation model

Question 6

maintenance: Nicotine regulation model

Answer 6

-smoking continues to maintain level of nicotine in body, high enough to avoid withdrawal

Question 7

Nicotine regulation model: study

Answer 7

-investigated smokers aged 34-52 yo, given high or low nicotine content
-heavy smokers smoked more low nicotine cigarettes (+25%)
-light smokers didn’t regulate consistently
-supports model

Question 8

practical uses
(evaluation)
+

Answer 8

-practical benefits in helping people to stop smoking
-biological mechanisms involved in addiction to substances
-example, replacing cigarettes with patches, gum, inhalers
-chemicals in smoking (nicotine and tar) damages health
-replacement sources of nicotine shows that biological explanations can provide interventions to reduce damage of smoking

Question 9

support for effectiveness
(evaluation)
+

Answer 9

-evidence supporting biological approach of smoking
-Schachter (1977), identified light + heavy smokers given cigarettes containing low nicotine smoked same number would have lower levels of nicotine
-demonstrates role of nicotine regulation in maintenance
-bio approach = effective, finding matched prediction

Question 10

evidence against effectiveness
(evaluation)
-

Answer 10

-not everyone who starts smoking becomes dependent
-provides dopamine-based ‘hit’, expect everyone who smokes to become dependent
-social smokers show no withdrawal symptoms
-Shiffman et al. (1995), studied ‘chippers’ who smoked 5-a-day compared to regular smokers
-chippers= no nicotine dependence
-difficult for bio to explain