Risk Factors and Addiction- Personality Flashcards
What are the 3 main personality traits suggested by Eysenck?
- Extraversion
- Neuroticism
- Psychoticism
What is extraversion?
- The tendency to focus on gratification obtained from outside the self
- Chronically under aroused so may engage in addictive behaviours to gain stimulation to raise arousal in the CNS
What is neuroticism?
- The trait disposition to experience negative effects (anger/anxiety)
- May engage in addictive behaviours to alleviate tension through a form of self medication
What is psychoticism?
- A dimension of the personality categorised by aggressiveness and impulsivity
- Relates to sensation seeking, being emotionally detached and dopamine function
If the point is:
A weakness of personality as a risk factor is that there is a cause and effect issue with it.
What is the evidence, explanation and link?
Evidence- Teeson points out that personality research is largely correlational and, although many personality traits are common amongst addicts, they don’t necessarily predict addictive behaviours.
Explanation- In addition, it is unknown which came first out of the addiction or the personality trait, as addictive behaviour can have profound effects on behaviour, cognition and personality. Further personality based explanations have a genetic basis.
Link- This implies that the risk factor of personality is inconclusive and awaits further research, as it is only conducted once the person has developed an addiction, so we rarely research participants before the addiction has developed.
If the point is:
A strength of personality as a risk factor is that there is convincing evidence which links it to addiction.
What is the evidence and link?
Evidence- Can and Su used a volunteer sample of 2620 high school kids aged between 12-18 from 4 schools. Participants completed several surveys measuring personality variables and internet usage. 64 students were diagnosed as suffering from internet addiction, equating to a prevalence of 2.4%. This group of participants had significantly higher scores on neuroticism and psychoticism in comparison to other groups.
Link- The prevalence of internet addiction in Chinese adolescents was quite concerning, and it appears psychological variables can largely explain this issue.
If the point is:
A weakness of personalty as a risk factor is that there are alternative explanations of how personality can influence addictive behaviours.
What is the evidence and link?
Evidence- For example, a correlation has been found between addiction related behaviour and antisocial personality disorder. ASPD begins in adolescence and incorporates many personality related risk factors, but the key one is impulsivity. This is marked by a lack of planning, a high degree of risk taking, a preference for immediate gratification of desires and a chaotic lifestyle.
Link- Therefore, we cannot infer whether it is a singular trait or multiple personality traits that lead to addiction.
If the point is:
A strength of personality as a risk factor is that there is further evidence for its role, shown by the high number of addicts with personality disorders.
What is the evidence and link?
Evidence- Verhheul completed a review of research into this area and estimated personality disorders were to be 44% in alcoholics, 70% in cocaine addicts and 79% for opiate addicts. They also suggested they were even more common for polydrug users.
Link- This makes this factor of personality more convincing in its involvement with addiction.
What are the evaluation points for personality as a risk factor?
– Cause and effect issue
+ There is convincing evidence about personality and addiction from a study with Chinese adolescence
– Also alternative explanations of how personality can influence addictive behaviours
+ Further evidence for the role of personality is shown by the high number of addicts with personality disorders
