QUIZ 3 Flashcards
a strategy used to hide autistic characteristics is also referred to as…
masking
when drug-related stimuli elicit cravings in individuals, this is an example of…
classical conditioning
the common aspect of natural reinforces relates to…
the release of dopamine within the nucleus accumbens.
How can twin studies explain the relative contribution of genetic and environmental factors in drug abuse and addiction? What were the main results of these studies? How can genetic variance explain susceptibility to alcohol addiction?
In twin studies we can compare monozygotic (identical) and dizygotic (non-identical, fraternal) twins. Identical twins have the same genetic material (DNA, genes), while non-identical twins only share about 50% genetic material. At the same time, both types of twins tend to share similar environments as they grow up in the same family, usually go to the same school etc. If genetics play an important role, then identical twins will be more similar in terms of drug abuse and addiction compared to non-identical twins. If, however, environment plays a more important role, then identical and non-identical twins should be similar in terms of drug abuse and addiction.
In a large twin study, it was found that the environment plays a stronger role in drug use (i.e. starting to use drugs or not), while genetics play a stronger role in determining whether the person becomes addicted or not. It was also shown that the level of heredity for addiction varies between 40-60% depending on the abused substance (e.g. the level of heredity is higher for opiates compared to cannabis). In alcohol addiction, different gene varieties can explain the variability of how alcohol is metabolised. Moreover, different gene varieties can be linked to differences in brain chemistry. This means that some people will be more sensitive to the reinforcing effects of drugs compared to others. The more sensitivity to reinforcing effects means more likely to become addicted.
state a neurotransmitter that is not associated with arousal?
dopamine
