Risk factors and addiction: Personality Flashcards
How might personality lead to addictive behaviours?
An addictive personality sees key traits as the cause of addictive behaviours. Eysenck suggested that high levels of neuroticism can lead to an addictive personality which is characterised by high anxiety and stress. Novelty seeking, inhibited harm avoidance and reward dependence have also been implicated. Eysenck’s (1967) theory suggests individuals differ along 3 super traits and this can explain some addictive behaviours
How does extraversion lead to addictive behaviours?
Extraverts are chronically under aroused and as such may engage in addictive behaviours to gain stimulation to raise arousal in the CNS.
How does neuroticism lead to addictive behaviours?
People high on this trait experience negative affect e.g. high level of irritability and anxiety and stress may engage in addictive behaviours to alleviate tension through a form of self- medication.
How does psychoticism lead to addictive behaviours?
This relates to sensation-seeking, impulsivity , aggressiveness and being emotionally detached. Eysenck also suggested this is related to the dopamine function. It is believed individuals high on this trait are most susceptible to addictions as they help manage these personality traits
What is the tri-dimensional theory?
According to Cloninger, addicts display the following patterns:
High novelty seeking: People who seek new experiences and sensations are more likely to seek out and become addicted to drugs.
High reward dependence: People who learn quickly from rewarding stimuli (i.e. the pleasant sensations of drugs) will become addicted to rewards from drugs more quickly, making them more likely to become addicts.
Low response to danger: People who are less worried about the dangers of drugs are more likely to try them and become addicted.
PERSONALITY - Research evidence?
For example Coa & Su (2006) surveyed 2620 volunteers Chinese high school kids aged 12-18 yrs on personality variables and internet usage. 64 students diagnosed with internet addiction (2.4 %). This group had higher scores in neuroticism & psychoticism than comparison groups.
PERSONALITY - Further research evidence?
For example Verheul et al 1995 reviewed research and found that personality disorders were estimated to be in 44% of alcoholics, 70% cocaine addicts and 79% opiate addicts and even more in multi-drug users.
PERSONALITY - Cause and effect issues?
Teeson (2002) points out that personality research is largely correlational, and although many personality traits are common amongst addicts they do not necessarily predict addictive behaviours.
It could be that once someone develops an addiction this causes them to take more risks or engage in novelty seeking.
PERSONALITY - Alternative explanation?
For example, a correlation has been found between addiction related behaviour and antisocial personality disorder (ASPD). ASPD begins in adolescence and incorporates many personality related risk factors, but the key one is impulsivity. This is marked by a lack of planning, a high degree of risk taking, a preference for immediate gratification of desires and a chaotic lifestyle.
This suggests we need to consider that personality disorders are associated with addiction so we need to consider that addiction could be integrated into other disorders
PERSONALITY - Practical application?
Barnes et al ( 2000) demonstrated that there is a relationship between personality characteristics and addictive behaviours with personality being a key predictor in the initiation, the development and maintenance of substance dependence .
An implication of this research is that by identifying vulnerable individuals in advance, they can be provided with support before their addictions develop and help prevent the development of substance disorders later.
What is the RAS?
It is traced all the way back to the activity within the Reticular activating system (RAS) . Those with a highly sensitive RAS (introverts) seek out less stimulating activities - as thats all they need for optimal level of activity in RAS (homeostasis).
In contrast - Extroverts have less sensitive RAS, and as such seek out more stimulating activities in search of optimal level of activity - this could be dangerous addictive related behaviours (or just extreme activities
Activity in the limbic system?
Neuroticism / emotional stability - can be traced to the activity of the LIMBIC SYSTEM.
Those with a highly reactive limbic system often have higher levels of neuroticism - hence they may engage in addictive behaviour to self medicate.
In contrast - those with less reactive limbic system are more emotionally stable - less addiction
