The Learning Approach

Question 1

Initiation of Gambling

Answer 1

Operant conditioning

Any behaviour that produces a consequence that Indi finds rewarding = becomes more frequent

Griffiths: gambler playing slot machines may become addicted because of the physiological rewards (buzz from wining, psychological rewards (near miss), social rewards (peer praise) and financial rewards if win

Question 2

2 theories of maintenance for gambling

Answer 2

Intermittent reinforcement

Social approval

Question 3

Social approval

Answer 3

Type of behaviour maintained because reinforcement is provided in form of social approval

Peers + fam members of problem gambler = more likely to approve of gambling

Peoplewho received this form of reinforcement = not only gambled more but also intended to continue doing so in future

Question 4

Intermittent reinforcement

Answer 4

Operant conditioning = people continue to gamble because of occasional reinforcement, characteristic of most gambling = they become used to long periods without reward + gambling behaviour is reinforced by occasional pay out

Question 5

2 theories for Relapse of Gambling

Answer 5

Conditioned cues

Approach-avoidance conflict

Question 6

Conditioned cues

Answer 6

Addicts learn (classical conditioning) to associate other stimuli with their gambling behaviour (sights + sounds of casino) these stimuli = triggers for gambling because have ability to increase arousal.

If after period of abstinence, an indi come in contact with one of these conditioned cues = higher risk of relapse

Question 7

Approach-avoidance conflict

Answer 7

Gambling has both +ve + -ve consequences for an indi = motivated to approach + to avoid situations where gambling is involved

This creates an approach-avoidance conflict = motivation fluctuates tween wanting to gamble + wanting to stop

Whether or not the gambler will gamble when faced with urge is related to their ability to control the increased arousal + delay need for reinforcement

Question 8

2 Initiation theories of Smoking

Answer 8

Availability of role models

Popularity as a positive reinforcer

Question 9

Availability of role models

Answer 9

Young people begin smoking as a consequence of the social models they have around them who smoke

Experimental smoking is primarily a function of parental + peer role modelling + vicarious reinforcement that leads young people to expect +ve and social consequences from smoking

Question 10

Popularity as a positive reinforcer

Answer 10

Pop among peers may also serve as +ve reinforcer in initiation of smoking
Found +ve relationship between smoking at age 16 + boys pop in 2 years later

Question 11

Maintenance of Smoking

Answer 11

Conditioned association

Repetition of act of smoking leads to strong conditioned association tween sensory aspects of smoking + reinforcing effects of nicotine

Although effects of nicotine in brain are important when first starting, smoking related sensory cues become conditioned stimuli + activate same brain areas = Cessation more difficult

Question 12

2 theories for relapse of Smoking

Answer 12

Conditioned cues

Refusal self-efficacy

Question 13

Conditioned cues

Answer 13

e.g. smoke smell increase likelihood smoker will respond by smoking

Hogarth et al: amount of craving increased sig when a conditioned stimulus related to smoking was presented to smoker

Question 14

Refusal self-efficacy

Answer 14

A person’s belief in his or her ability to succeed in a particular situation

Those who smoke more frequently have less confidence in their ability to abstain = more likely to relapse

Question 15

Gender Bias

Answer 15

According to Lopez et al, women start smoking later than men + that there are gender related differences in relation to both stages + context of smoking

Explanations of smoking fail to address these gender differences

Question 16

Can’t explain all forms of gambling

Answer 16

Operant conditioning can’t explain all forms of gambling

Some have short-time period between behaviour + consequence (scratch card) + some have much longer period (sports betting), also less to do with chance + more to do with skill

Question 17

Limitation of Gambling explanantion

Answer 17

Many people gamble at some time in their lives + experience reinforcements associated with this behaviour

Few become addicts =suggests there are other psychological factors involved in transition from gambling behaviour to gambling addiction

Question 18

Real-world Application

Answer 18

Botvin: effective forms of drug prevention programmes should target beginner adolescents

Resistance training= not only teaches how to say no but also informs them of influences of peers + adults on drug use

It is imperative to equipt adolescents with anti-smoking + drug messages to counter pro-smoking + drug messages in environment

Question 19

Role models

Answer 19

Peer influence been found to be primary influence for adolescents who smoke

Adolescents who smoke = more likely to hang out with other adolescents who smoked

If close friends smoked = 8x more likely to smoke than if parents, siblings + friends didn’t

Question 20

Support for Smoking relapse

Answer 20

Study tested importance of environmental contexts in urge to smoke

In one room presented 33 smokers with cue predicting smoking

In 2nd room = cue predicting smoking unavailability

Results supported view that a cue predicting smoking led to greater urge to smoke

Question 21

Implications for treatment

Answer 21

Cue exposure: involves presenting cues without opportunity to engage in the smoking behaviour

Stimulus discrimination = without reinforcement provided by actual nicotine, the association between the cue + smoking is extinguished = reducing craving for ciggs that arises when exposed to cue