Risk Factors

Question 1

Genetic vulnerability

Answer 1

Inherit a predisposition. Interaction of genes and environment. Won’t become addicted without exposure.

Question 2

Genetic - D2

Answer 2

Genetically determined amount of D2 receptors. Fewer leads to issues experiencing pleasure from everyday, compensate with addictive substances or risky behaviors

Question 3

Genetic - metabolism

Answer 3

Some break down substances faster than other more susceptible as may need more to feel same effect. Metabolic rate inherited.

Question 4

Pianezza (1998)

Answer 4

People who lacked enzyme to metabolize nicotine properly (CYP2A6), less likely to smoke compared to those with functioning enzyme. CYP2A6 is genetically determined.

Question 5

Kendler et al (2012)

Answer 5

National Swedish adoption study, adults adopted with biologically related addicts more likely to be addicted later compared to control group. Higher validity to genetic risk.

Question 6

Correlational research

Answer 6

Cannot establish cause and effect, can only show link and not what came first. Lacks internal validity as cannot conclude what makes someone more at risk.

Question 7

Define stress

Answer 7

State of physical and psychological arousal, individual believes they cannot cope with perceived threat

Question 8

Stress as a risk

Answer 8

May turn to substances or behaviors in order to self medicate. Chronic stress and traumatic events in childhood linked with risk of addiction.

Question 9

Anderson and Teicher (2008)

Answer 9

Early experiences of severe stress, damaging and can effect vulnerability to later stress. Future stress can trigger this - more likely to self-medicate.

Question 10

Personality

Answer 10

Addictive personality: anti-social personality = high vulnerability as behavior or substance offers relief.

Question 11

Addictive personality traits (Eysenck)

Answer 11

Neuroticism- high anxiety, low self-efficacy
Psychoticism- aggressive, impulsive and sometimes detached. Mayb engage in risk taking behavior

Question 12

Eysenck and Gossops sample?

Answer 12

221 addicts
310 non-addicts

Question 13

Eysenck’s study

Answer 13

Used persobality questionnaire, found high levels of psychoticism and neuroticism in addicts compared to CG. Supports role of personality + validity.

Question 14

Family influences - approval

Answer 14

Parents show a positive attitude towards particular addictive substance/behavior
Makes more vulnerable to addiction.

Question 15

Livingstone wet Al

Answer 15

Final year high school students who were allowed to drink by their parents were significantly more likely to drink excessively at college.

Question 16

Lack of monitoring

Answer 16

Can lead to a higher risk of addiction.
Exposure within family life creates a risk due to the role of social learning theory.

Question 17

Madras et al (2019)

Answer 17

Found a strong positive correlation between kids who parents used cannabis with the use of cannabis,nicotine,alcohol and opioids. Kids may have perceived their parents as accepting.

Question 18

Peers

Answer 18

Peers act as gateways to addiction, can have more influence that parents as spend more time around them

Question 19

O’Connell et al (2009) alcohol addiction

Answer 19

1) attitudes and norms: associating with peers who drink (N&ISI)
2) opportunities: peers who provide opportunities, increased risk
3) perception: overestimate how much their peers drink & try to keep up.