psychology of addiction

Question 1

Explain the importance of learning in the process leading to addiction.

Answer 1

• we learn behaviours when we repeatedly complex a task
• for example, if you think about eating a cookie, you will probably salivate
• if you are doing drugs with increase seritoin levels/ make you feel good, you will associate doing that drug with that positive feeling
• you will learn that that drug makes you happy/ feel good, and then you can become addicted

Question 1

What is classical conditioning? What is operant learning? How are they different?

Answer 1

• classical conditiong is a learning process that occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired: a response which is at first elicited by the second stimulus is eventually elicited by the first stimulus alone.
• operant learning is a method of learning that uses rewards and punishment to modify behavior
• they both condition an individual
• classical conditioning is involuntary responses with stimuli and operant is voluntary behaviours with consequences
• classical ccurs through the pairing of stimuli.
  Operant Learning occurs through consequences that follow behavior.
• classical Focuses on stimuli that precede a response.
  Operant focuses on consequences that follow a behavior.
• classical involves reflexive or involuntary responses.
  operant : Involves voluntary, goal-directed behaviors.
• Pavlov’s dogs salivating at the sound of a bell.
  vs Training a dog to sit by rewarding it with a treat when it sits.

Question 2

Why are some drugs more addictive than others?

Answer 2

• neurochemical effects: substances that significantly increase dopamine levels, providing intense pleasure or euphoria, are more likely to be addictive
• method of administeration: Smoking or injecting a substance delivers it more rapidly to the brain than swallowing or snorting, potentially increasing its addictive potential.
• speed of onset: Drugs that produce rapid and intense effects are often more addictive. The faster a substance reaches the brain, the more reinforcing it can be, leading to a higher risk of addiction.
• reinforcement and reward: Drugs that provide strong positive reinforcement by creating intense pleasure or relieving distress are more likely to lead to addictive behavior.
• tolerance: olerance occurs when the body adapts to a drug, requiring higher doses to achieve the same effects. Drugs that lead
  to rapid and significant tolerance can result in escalating use, contributing to addiction.

Question 3

Substantiate an argument to counter or support the statement “Drug addiction is the fault of the addict!”

Answer 3

• it is not the fault of the addict
• some individuals are unware of how addictive drugs can be/ are exposed to them at a young age/ are pressured into them
• biological factors: genetics and neurochemistry can predispose individuals to higher suspectibility of drug addicition
• mental health and trauma can induce drug addiction
• social and environmental factors: mpact of societal and environmental factors, including poverty, lack of education, and exposure to a drug-abusing environment.
• addiction is complex and multifacetted. cunterarguments stress that reducing it to a matter of personal fault oversimplifies the intricate interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors that contribute to addiction.

-factors may not be in individuals control

Question 4

Why does going to ‘rehab’ often fail?

Answer 4

• when people return the the environment in which they became addicted, they will often fall back into similar habits
• reexposure to drug-associted cues

Question 5

What does cortisol have to do with habit formation? Can this lead to addiction?

Answer 5

• Cortisol, known as the “stress hormone,” is linked to habit formation through its role in the brain’s stress response. Elevated cortisol levels during stress can impact memory consolidation and the brain’s reward pathways, influencing the development and reinforcement of habits.
• While habit formation is a normal part of learning, chronic stress and prolonged cortisol release may contribute to the development of maladaptive habits, potentially increasing the risk of addiction. The interplay between cortisol, habit formation, and addiction underscores the complex relationship between stress, brain function, and behavioral patterns.

Question 6

What is the ‘Fear of missing out?’

Answer 6

• the thought that if you arent somewhere, you are missing out on what is happening
• It is a social anxiety or apprehension that individuals might be missing out on rewarding experiences or events that others are participating in. This fear is often fueled by social media, where people see posts and updates about the activities and events of their peers, creating a sense of exclusion or the fear that one is not partaking in something enjoyable or significant. FOMO can lead to a desire to stay constantly connected, engage in social activities, or be aware of and attend events to avoid the perceived negative emotions associated with missing out.
• a form of cognitive distortion (irrational though patterns that are linked to and perpetuate anxiety, depression, and addiction); irrational perception of reality
• a source of stress (source f increased cortisol levels)

Question 7

How does social psychology integrate with the ‘Fear of missing out?’

Answer 7

• humans are social creatures and want to socialze and be included
• may have a a historical evolutionary basis as missing out on hunting parties would contribute to less food