The Biological Approach Flashcards
Psychiatric disorder
demonstrate loss of control, exhibit progressive increase, continue despite negative repercussions
Initiation - gambling
genetics - Shah et al: twin study, evidence of genetic transmission in men. black et al: first-degree relatives of pathological gamblers more likely to suffer from pathological gambling
Maintenance - gambling
associated with pathological gambling associated with under-active pituitary-adrenal response to gambling stimuli. Paris et al: no increase in cortisol.
high sensation-seeker: lower appreciation of risk, more likely to gamble
Relapse - gambling
boredom avoidance - poor tolerance for boredom, repetitive gambling
Initiation - smoking
genetics - 56% environmental influences.
US twin study: 42% heritability for regular smoking
Maintenance - smoking
effects of nicotine - Vink et al: 75% genetic factors
nAchRs in brain, release dopamine, nicotine lev. drops, smoke, repeat cycle
Pre-natal exposure
smoke heavily, 2x risk of child becoming addicted to tobacco if they smoke
Relapse - smoking
Xian et al: twin study, 54% risk for quit failure heritability
Gambling AO2
Explains individual differences
Ignores environmental and situational factors
Limitations - some types more addictive
Smoking AO2
Icelandic study - gene variant on chromosome 15
Implications for treatment - screening, advise to change behaviour
Gartner et al: small assoc. between specific genes and smoking
Reductionism
simple explanation, ignores other factors
Smoking - role of genetics AO2
Asp40 variant of mu-opoid gene 2x likely to quit with higher dose NRT
genetic testing allows appropriate therapy, maximise likelihood of quitting
Sensation seeking and type of gambling AO2
Bonnaire et al: subgroup of gamblers
1: play ‘passive’ games e.g in cafes, avoid neg. emotional states
2: ‘active’ games e.g horse, gamble for arousal (higher sensation seeking score)
