Explanations For Nicotine Addiction - Learning Theory

Question 1

What are the two explanations for a nicotine addiction?

Answer 1

Brain neurochemistry and learning theory

Question 2

What does learning theory suggest about smoking?

Answer 2

Learning theory suggests smoking is a learnt bhv through operant conditioning

Question 3

How is a nicotine addiction formed through operant conditioning?

Answer 3

• positive reinforcement can explain why indv start to smoke
• when indv inhales nic, it impacts the dopamine system in the brains reward pathway
• causing feeling of pleasure
• therefore indv will smoke again to get same reward of pleasure

Question 4

How is a nicotine addiction maintained through operant conditioning?

Answer 4

• neg reinforcement can explain why an indv would continue to smoke
• when an indv stops smoking, it leads to unpleasant symptoms from withdrawal syndrome such as disturbed sleep, agitation and poor conc
• this makes it more difficult for a smoker to stop smoking for long and therefore an indv would continue to smoke to avoid unpleasant symptoms

Question 5

How is a nicotine addiction formed through classical conditioning?

Answer 5

• cue reactivity works using c.c
• when indv smokes, there are env stimuli present aswell as cig e.g. certain friends or in the car
• indv ass smoking nic (UCS) with env stimuli (NS)
• after repeating this ass, env stimuli becomes CS and acts as a cue to smoking which leads to CR of a craving
• e.g. indv sitting in car and craving cig

Question 6

How is a nicotine addiction maintained through cue reactivity and why can it also explain relapse?

Answer 6

• nic add is maintained as the cues lead to craving for smoking bhv each time theyre seen
• causes indv to smoke to reduce psychological withdrawal
• cr can also exp relapse as indv who have quit smoking are still faced with cues to crave cig, causing them to smoke again

Question 7

What are the three AO3 PEELS to evaluate learning theory as an exp for nic addiction?

Answer 7

RTS - meta analysis - dependent smokers..
Weakness - env deterministic - controlled by reinforcements + ass
Strength - prac apps - aversion therapy