The learning approach to shopping addiction

Question 1

What is initiation of the learning approach to shopping addiction?

Answer 1

Role models and vicarious reinforcement

Celebrities and advertisement - associate the item with their glamorous life styles and want to copy it

Question 2

What is maintenance of the learning approach to shopping addiction?

Answer 2

Positive reinforcement - shopping brings rewards as it can be fun and exciting. People may link the idea of shopping with positive things such as shopping and being with friends.
Negative reinforcement - use shopping to block out feelings of emptiness they flee after shopping. So they shop again

Question 3

What is relapse of the learning approach to shopping addiction?

Answer 3

Negative reinforcement - relief from withdrawal symptoms (anxiety,depression,emptiness,guilt) the relief is only temporary so they shop again
Cues associated with shopping - they’re are advertisements for shopping everywhere on the media and everyday life so it is hard to avoid because when they see it they get an urge to shop

Question 4

What’re the strengths?

Answer 4

Learning process can explain gender difference in shopping addiction. Women shop for clothes and jewellery and men’s electronics.

Question 5

What’re the weaknesses?

Answer 5

Participants calculate their shopping addiction by self report where people might be reluctant to smasher truthfully because they’re embarrassed