Smoking

Question 1

Pros :biological approach of smoking

Answer 1

Vink et al (2003)- 44% of initiation to smoking & 75% of nicotine dependence can be explained by genetic factors, suggesting that a genetic predisposition may contribute to addiction.

• The biological approach can explain individuals differences in smoking addiction as not everyone who tries smoking becomes addicted to it because they may not have the gene that makes the vulnerable to addiction.

• Treatments such as nicotine replacement therapy as effective ways to help people to stop smoking. This relieves the withdrawal symptoms of smoking through the release of small amounts of nicotine, without the harmful effects. This supports the biological approach as an effective explanation of smoking addiction.

Question 2

Cons biological approach (smoking)

Answer 2

Genetic factors are not the only factor affecting smoking addiction. Environmental factors play a part too, suggesting that biology/genetics is no the only reason for addiction.

• The biological approach is a simplistic model of smoking addiction and does not take into account socio-cultural factors that can lead to addiction e.g. low self esteem and stressful life events.

• Not all smokers become addicted to nicotine and although the biological approach can explain susceptibility to smoking, it does not explain why people respond to the effects of nicotine differently. This suggests that other factors such as personality and social support may need to be taken into account.

Question 3

Pros learning approach (smokin)

Answer 3

Treatments based on the learning approach have been shown to be effective in treating addiction e.g. aversion therapy is where negative associations are formed with smoking which means addicts are likely to stop these behaviours. Effective treatments means that the approach has high levels of validity.

• It is a more effective explanation of addiction because it explains how the addiction is maintained even when the addict knows that it is harming them (through positive reinforcement). This makes it a more complete explanation of smoking addiction.

• It can explain individual differences in behaviour because only those exposed to role models will initiate smoking behaviour, making it a more complete explanation for smoking addiction.

Question 4

Cons of learning approach (smokin)

Answer 4

• Cannot explain all nicotine addiction because it ignores factors like personality & genetics. Not all young people who observe parents smoking take it up themselves and not all become addicted.

• Self efficacy might be a better theory to explain why smokers continue to smoke – if a person has low confidence in their ability to quit, they will make less effort to quit.

Question 5

Pros learning approach to shopping

Answer 5

There are a number of effective treatments based on the learning approach e.g. aversion therapy can be used for psychological and physiological addictions and is effective in the short term.

• Conditioning does not require free will and explains how addiction can be maintained even when the addict knows the harm it is causing them.
• Studies show that shoppers have a more positive attitude towards good endorsed by celebrities.