Smoking - B2

Question 1

Biological Approach - initiation to smoking

Answer 1

Genetic predisposition to addiction.
* Smoking initiation may be due to genetics. Research shows that nearly ½ of smokers compared to ¼ non smokers posses the gene that may predispose them to start smoking.

Dopamine Receptors
* Nicotine molecules attach to dopamine receptors in the brain which causes the release of dopamine and leads to increased concentration and better mood .

Heritability of smoking initiation and nicotine dependence.
* Vink et al (2003) found that genetic factors make a substantial contribution to both initiation of smoking and ongoing nicotine dependence. This means that the smokers are more likely to have the gene that makes them more vulnerable to addictions like smoking.

Question 2

Biological Approach - Maintenance & Relapse of smoking

Answer 2

Role of dopamine
* Nicotine activates the dopamine receptors in the brain which releases dopamine and leads to increased concentration and better mood.

Nicotine Regulation
* People continue to smoke to regulate nicotine. Dopamine effects are short lived so addicts will smoke again to experience the same feelings and avoid the withdrawal symptoms that occur.

Tolerance
* Overtime the constant stimulation of dopamine receptors reduces their sensitivity & we need to smoke more to get the same buzz.
* Repeated exposure to addictive behaviours like smoking will lead to constant high levels of dopamine, meaning that the addict will need to smoke more to get the same feelings of pleasure & to prevent withdrawal symptoms.

Withdrawal Symptoms
* An addict may return to their smoking behaviour after some time.
* Withdrawal from smoking will lead to a deficit in dopamine in the brain. They will experience nicotine withdrawal symptoms e.g. low mood, headaches, anxiety and restlessness.
* This will cause the addict to relapse & go back to smoking to stop these unpleasant withdrawal effects.
* Every time an individual is reminded of smoking e.g. being at pub, with friends who smoke, small amounts of dopamine are released & this could cause the to start smoking again to increase the pleasant feelings brought on by dopamine.

Question 3

Evaluating the biological approach to smoking
Strengths

Answer 3

• Vink et al (2003) found 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.

Question 4

Evaluating the biological approach to smoking
Weaknesses

Answer 4

• Genetic factors are not the only factor affecting smoking addiction. Environmental factors play a part too, suggesting that biology is not 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.

Question 5

Learning Approach - Initiation to smoking

Answer 5

Parental and peer role models
* Learn to smoke by observing and imitating role models.
* Smoking addiction often initiated by vicarious reinforcement. This is observing role models smoking and how it makes them relaxed. This vicarious reinforcement motivates an individual to IMITATE their smoking.

Positive reinforcement
* Operant conditioning suggests that behaviours that are positively reinforced are more likely to continue e.g. smoking increases relaxation & is seen as being cool which means that it is more likely to continue.