Risk Factors (SPFGP) Flashcards
What can some people inherit according to the genetic vulnerability risk factor?
A vulnerability to Addiction
What is ‘genetic vulnerability’ explained as being
An interaction between genes and environment
Why does a genetic vulnerability specifically involve environmental factors
A person cannot become addicted without exposure to the substance/opportunity
What are the two reasons a genetic vulnerability may occur
D2 Receptors and Metabolism
Which neurotransmitter are D2 receptors responsible for communicating with
Dopamine
What is the neurotransmitter dopamine involved in the feelings of
Pleasure and Reward
The what of D2 receptors is determined by genetics
Amount
Have what D2 receptors has been associated with addiction
FEWER
Why does have fewer D2 receptors contribute to addiction
More difficult to receive pleasure from everyday activities/substances
What is an example of an everyday substance a person with fewer D2 receptors may struggle to find from pleasure from
Chocolate
What do people with fewer D2 receptors turn to as they can’t feel pleasure from everyday things
More addictive substances such as nicotine
Why do people with fewer D2 receptors turn to more addictive substances such as nicotine
To compensate for their Deficiency
People with fewer d2 receptors turn to more addictive substances like nicotine to compensate for their deficiency. What does this ultimately lead to?
Addiction due to repeated use
Addiction due to repeated use
An individual’s rate of metabolism is determined by what
Inherited Genes
Why would someone with a faster metabolism be more prone to developing an addiction
They are able to break down addictive substances quicker than people with slow metabolisms
Why do people with faster metabolisms eventually become addicted
They need more of a substance to have the same effect
People with fast metabolisms need more of a substance to feel its effects. What does this lead to
Overuse and thus addiction
What is stress in terms of addiction?
A state of arousal
When does stress occur in people in regards to addiction
When they feel like they cannot cope
Why might people who are stressed turn to addictive substances/behaviours
To ‘self-medicate’
What 2 experiences have been linked with an increased likelihood of developing an addiction
- Periods of long-lasting stress
- Traumatic life events in childhood
Which 2 researchers found that severe stress have damaging effects on young brains which creates a vulnerability to future stress
Anderson and Teicher
According to Anderson & Treicher, what does this vulnerability to later stress increase the likelihood of
A person self-medicating by using addictive substances/behaviours
What do Psychologists agree that there is no such thing as in regards to addiction
An “Addictive Personality”
Whilst psychologists deny the existence of an addictive personality, what have they agreed upon
Some traits can increase addiction likelihood
Which personality disorder has been shown to lead to a high vulnerability to addiction
Anti-Social Personality Disorder ( APD )
What is APD characterised by
Impulsivity and rule breaking
Which researcher conducted research into personality traits associated with addiction
Clodinger
What did clodinger propose
3 innate dimensions associated with addiction
What were Clodinger’s 3 innate dimensions?
Novelty seeking
Inhibited harm avoidance
Increased reward dependency (don’t need to know)
How did cldoinger measure the 3 innate dimensions?
Through questionnaires
What were the names of the 2 questionnaires clodinger used?
- Clodinger’s Temperament
- Character inventory
According to Clodinger, novelty seeking is the tendency to get what
Intensely excited in response to new stimuli
What do ‘novelty seekers’ do according to Clodinger
Continuously seek new, more extreme experiences
What is an inhibited harm avoidance characterised by
A lack of inhibitions, worry and fear
What do people with inhibited harm avoidance tend to ignore
Consequences of using addictive substances/ behaviours
What can family members have an effect on through a person’s development
Their thoughts, feelings and emotions
What is one family influence that can create a vulnerability to addiction
Perceived parental approval
Within perceived parental approval, why may a person be more susceptible to developing an addiction
Because they believe their parents have a positive attitude towards a substance/behaviour
Which researcher found that high school students who were allowed to drink at home were more likely to drink excessively at college
Livingstone et al
