Risk Factors

Question 1

What are the 5 Risk Factors

Answer 1

Personality
Stress
Peer Groups
Genetic influences
Family influences

Question 2

Personality AO1

Answer 2

The ‘addictive personality’ tends to see key traits as the cause of addictive behaviours. Eysenck’s theory suggests a correlation between certain traits and addiction.

The 3 super traits = Extraverts are constantly under-aroused and may engage with addictive behaviours to gain stimulation which raises arousal in the CNS. People with the neuroticism trait experience negative affect e.g. anxiety, and may engage to alleviate this anxiety as a form of self medication. Psychoticism relates to sensation seeking, impulsivity and being emotionally detached. Eysenck also suggested this is related to dopamine function. Individuals with this trait are most susceptible to addictions as they help manage the personality traits.

In addition Cloninger proposed that individuals high in novelty seeking, inhibited harm avoidance and reward dependence are extremely vulnerable to substance abuse.

The key trait is impulsivity leading to risk taking, sensation seeking and a chaotic lifestyle.

Question 3

Personality AO3

Answer 3

• Research evidence - Cao and Su
• Cause and effect - Teeson - research is largely correlational
• Alternative explanations
• Further research evidence - Verhheul

Question 4

Stress AO1

Answer 4

• according to the tension-reduction hypothesis people may engage in addictive behaviours in an attempt to reduce tension and anxiety.
• Everyday stress (chronic + acute) : addiction is generally associated with relieving anxiety. People report that they drink, smoke ect as a means of coping with daily hassles. Stressors may contribute to initiation and continuation of addictions, as well as relaspse
• (childhood) Traumatic stress : found that exposure to severe stress are more vulnerable to addictions. Especially children who have experienced for example, parental loss or child abuse

Question 5

Stress AO3

Answer 5

• Evidence - Tavolacci
• Cause and effect
• Alternative explanations
• individual differences - Kobasa

Question 6

Peer Groups AO1

Answer 6

• Peer networks replace parents in becoming the primary source of reinforcement from about the ages of 12-14 (Hinde) - influence reduces with age
• most important during initiation and maintenance
• This impressionable age is when many adolescents experiment with addictive behaviours
• SLT: (Tajfel) States you learn through observation of those they have most contact with. Peer encouragement and approval can serves a big reinforcement - once started no longer effects
• SIT: much of our social identity is gained through being members of groups, where we adopts norms and behaviours central to the group.

Question 7

Peer Groups AO3

Answer 7

• Research - Sussman and Ames
• cause and effect
• alternative explanations
• heavily influenced by age - many people develop addictions later in life

Question 8

Genetic Influences AO1

Answer 8

Suggests a genetic vulnerability in developing addictive behaviours. This can explain why some people may become addicted having only had a small amount whereas others can do the same and never develop an addiction.

• faulty A1 DRD2 gene which reduces the number of DR’s in our pleasure centres within the limbic system. This means people are less sensitive to rewards and may seek extra stimulating activities e.g. gambling to compensate
• Blums rewards deficiency syndrome

Question 9

Genetic Influences AO3

Answer 9

• Research - Shields
• Alternative theories
• too deterministic - reverse Blums percentages
• for a more comprehenisive view of risk factors, genetics can be used as part of the diathesis stress account

Question 10

Family Influences AO1

Answer 10

Role of the family is critical for socialisation and development, and their influence is likely to be seen in addictive behaviours and attitudes.

• SLT: we model our behaviour on key role models - some of these are in the home. We may learn to become addicted through vicarious reinforcement and role models
• Parental style: Uninvolved parenting (lack of focus on children), Authoritarian (enforce rules and regulations, focus on fostering obediance), permissive (over indulgent, too much attention, and repond to needs too quick)
• Families shape expectancies and contribute to schemas

Question 11

Family Influences AO3

Answer 11

• Research - Goddard
• Peer influence more critical for teenagers - Hinde
• Family influence could be explained through genetics
• alternative explanations
• practical applications - interventions