addiction

Question 1

what is ao1 for risk factor - genetic vuln

Answer 1

inherit predisposition to being addict
influences addiction bc genetic mechanism means have lower level of d2 receptor which linked to addiction.
gene environment interaction

Question 2

what is ao3 for genetic vulnerability

Answer 2

research support- Kendler+prescott cocaine use higher in mz (54%) than dz(42%) cocaine dependancy higher in mz (35%) dz (0%)
- x not full explanation- diathesis stress model- for addiction to develop, alongside diathesis (genetic) you also need a stressor (e.g. chronic stress)

Question 3

what is ao1 for risk factor stress

Answer 3

increase risk due to inability to cope or maladaptive thinking/coping.
stress maintain addiction as stress of quitting cause stress so maintains addiction

Question 4

what is ao3 for stress risk factor

Answer 4

• supporting research- Tavolocci- students had high stress level more likely begin alcohol abuse/ smoke regularly. shows may turn to substance as way or relieving and then= habit
• x cause+effect? e.g gambling may be what caused stress eg risk of losing assets. stress a by product or causal factor??

Question 5

what is ao1 for personality risk factor

Answer 5

personality resource model suggests addictive havit as fulfils certain purpose related to personality type
antisocial personality disorder (APD) seen in some addicts. behave criminally to satisfy own desires and also impulsive so may break from social norms

Question 6

what is ao3 for personality risk factor

Answer 6

-supporting evidence 0 Bahlmabb et al - 18 alcohol dependants with APD developed APD 4 year prior to addiction. shows APD link which may explain why addicts don’t think action thoroughly (e.g. taking drug)
xmost treatment take nomothetic approach (drugs) idiographic more suitable? impulsive people can be treated by focus on personality trait in client led therapy so can adopt way to effectively treat addiction

Question 7

what is ao1 for family influence risk factor

Answer 7

people seek parental approval. SLT shows reinforcement plays role as adults=role model. if they drink, indirectly influences those around to drink. alcohol everyday feature of life, more inclined to drink

Question 8

what is ao3 for family influence risk factors

Answer 8

• supporting evidence - Dunn + Goldmann when measured expectancies of 7-18 yr olds, mirrored those of adults. adult in child enviro influence attitudes
• x deterministic - ignores cog nfluences (e.g. should i take this drug)

Question 9

what is ao1 for peers risk factor

Answer 9

SLT impplies attitudes/experimentation increases risk. Many addicts blame inititation and maintenance on peer pressure. O’Connell propose 3 elements for alcohol/at risk peers:
Association, experienced peers give opportunities, overestimate how much others drink

Question 10

what is ao3 for peers risk factors

Answer 10

x contradicting research- Kobus literature review finding peer influences more subtle than thought, Psych processes (e.g media) need more research to understand influence of them
x other influencing factors- e.g. deprivation areas of deprivation see more betting shops so more available to gamble. gambling due to need for escape (n.reinforcement)

Question 11

what is ao1 for theory of planned behaviour

Answer 11

personal beliefs refers to our attitudes to whats fav and unfav behaviour, subjective norms= is addictive behaviour (dis)approved via behvaiours/opinions.
perceived behavioural control= more control=stronger intentions
person’s self efficacy impacted by time, available support and internal ability

Question 12

what is ao3 for theory of planned behaviour

Answer 12

-research support- Haggr found all 3 predicted limited drinking to guidelines. supports their role
- real life app- used in health psychology- by practitioners to predict benefits of addictive behaviour
-x may not actually predict behavioural change Miller and Howell found intentions and 3 factors linked but prediction of gambling behaviour not found.

Question 13

what is ao1 for drug therapy

Answer 13

aversives= paired with unpleasant consequence via CC- disulfiram taken= hangover within minutes
agonists- activate neuron receptor, similar effect to substance controlling withdrawal
antagonists block neuron receptor so can’t produce normal effects
opioids=antagonists e.g. naltrexone. enhance GABA release in mesolimbic pathway and reduce dop release in NA which is linked to less gambling
NRT operate neurochemically. activate nAChRs in mesolimbic pathway and stimulate dop release in NA

Question 14

what is ao3 for drug therapy

Answer 14

-research support NRT- Stead NRT users 70% mroe likely smoke free 6mths later. BUT side effects e,g sleep disturbance and dizziness
x not most effectove- McCelan 69% methadone only group removed as took heroine but meth and psych intervention better
xnot always suitable e.g methadone to pregnant? baby addicted.

Question 15

ao1 for aversion therapy (psych interventions)

Answer 15

based on cc.
smoking= told puff every 6 sec so feel nauseous then associates unpleasantness with smoking
drinking= given emetic to elicit vomit but given alcohol before vomit. Repetition causes conditioned response to expect nausea

Question 15

ao3 for aversive therapy (psych intervention)

Answer 15

x low adherence- disturbing so discourages

x contradicting research- Hajek + Stead meta analysis found research didn’t use double blind trial so hard to know effectiveness

Question 16

ao1 for covert sensitisation

Answer 16

nicotine addict
client relaxes, therapist reads script of client imagining them smoking as need to imagine unpleasant consequences. intention to deter
more graphic = more effective

Question 17

ao3 for covert sensitisation (psych intervention)

Answer 17

• research support- found 40% had cs for alcohol addiction end up abstaining compared to 0% control
  x low adherence rate- requires high motivation to imagine scenarios

Question 18

ao1 for CBT (psych interventions)

Answer 18

involves identify + deconstruct beliefs to reduce craving. assumes addiction mainted by irrational thought
cognitive reconstruction= therapist educates on belief
functional analysis= identify high risk situation and identify thoughts before, during after
assertiveness= confront interpersonal conflicts and develop social skill to refuse alcohol

Question 19

ao3 for CBT (psych intervention)

Answer 19

• research support- Petry et al- ppts gambling addiction, had 8 sessions, lasted 12 mths
  x contradicting research - Collishaw meta analysis 11 studies CBT effective 3 mths but no control difference 9-12 mths.
  x low adherence- motivation. 5x more adherence than other therapies.

Question 20

ao1 proschaka 6 stage model

Answer 20

quitting= cyclical cycle
precontemplation - dont think change in near future - CONVINCE THEM TO CHANGE
contemplation - think change near future, aware of need but costs SEE PROS OF OVERCOMING preparation- they’ll change in next mth and know benefits outweigh costs CONSTRUCT PLAN action=smth done in past 6 mths and develop coping strategies
maintenance - changed for more than 6 mths RELAPSE PREVENTION termination- not suitable for all but when abstinence is auto

Question 21

ao3 for proschaka 6 stage model

Answer 21

supporting evidence- Velcer meta analysis found 22-26% success rate quitting smoking - shows favourable over alternatives
-practical value- URICA developed scales ot measure patient current stage to target specific intervention
x model is arbitary- difference between stages based off random choice. One day changes stage e.g plan to stop 30 days = preparation 31 days = contemplation better stages may be precontemplation then all others as 1

Question 22

ao1 for learning theory of gambling addiction

Answer 22

v.reinforcement - others rewarded for gambling triggers desire for same reinforcement
p.reinforcement - winning money creates buzz bc is exciting n.reinforcement - way to escape
continuous reinforcement schedule- reward correct response but reward stops when target behaviour disappears (extinction)
partial reinforcement schedule- some bets rewarded so unpredictable but still enough to maintain addiction type of v.reinforcement
when behaviour reinforced intermittently and ocne established, more resistant to extinction. gambler believes eventually win if persist

Question 23

ao3 for learning theory of gambling

Answer 23

-explains why most gamblers cant stop- shows conditioning auto so gambler learn to be addict, conscious desire to stop conflicts with conditioning process to keep gambling BUT doesnt explain all gambling- explains when no delay between placing bet and outcome but not when slight delay
-research support- found high frequency gamblers more likely to place bet in last 2 mins due to built excitement supporting p.reinforcement - BUT study has methodological shortcomings as only observed by 1 observer-

Question 24

ao1 explanation for nic addiction- learning theory

Answer 24

OC role in early addiction nic powerful reinforcer due to physiological effect on DRS- stimulates dop to be released in NA so mild euphoria n.reinforcement- cessation of nico=acute withdrawal symptoms cue reactivity= pleasurable effect of smoking is p.reinforcer as intrinsically rewarding other stimuli sec reinforcers as produce similar repsonse to nic itself

Question 25

ao3 explanation for nic addiction - LT

Answer 25

- real world app- James Smith ppts with aversion therapy 52% still abstained from nic after aversive shock showing can help save resources. Hajeck Stead found aversion short lived -research support- Levin et alrats lick nic linked waterpsout substantially more over 24 sessions. shows OC -some say people say right to use non humans to study humans bc according to behaviourists conditioning mechanisms are same BUT this is reductionist as more complex in humans due to cog factors e.g. humans think bout reinforcers in way mammals dont

Question 26

ao1 explanations for nic addiction (brain neurochemsitry)

Answer 26

nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAchR) is activated by acetylcholine (Ach) or nicotine, shuts down=neuron=desensitised leading to downregulation. Nicotine creates a pleasurable effect. dopamine rewards system= nicotine activating the system to create pleasure (e.g euphoria and lower anxiety) and these effects then become associated with smoking. mesolimbic pathway- ncRs stimulated by nicotine and dopamine is transmitted along t to NA so more dopamine is released to the frontal cortex. mesocortical pathway= dopamine is transmitted via this to the frontal cortex. Withdrawal= don’t smoke for prolonged periods= nicotine disappears from body so nAchRs are functional again and dopamine neurotransmitter is resensitised. Continuous nicotine exposure causes a permanent change in neurochemistry which builds tolerance.

Question 27

ao3 for brain neurochemistry

Answer 27

real world app- led to development of NRT (e.g patches) which bind to nAChRs to mimic nic to satisfy cravings BUT bio deterministic suggests addiction inevitable in any smoker but not true - x withdrawal symptoms not fully explained - Gilbert= ppts score high on personality dimension of neuroticism had worse withdrawal- persons withdrawal depends on enviro and personality

Question 28

ao1 for cog theory of gambling addiction

Answer 28

gamblers = distorted expectations believe benefits outweigh costs. overestimate chances of winning and selectively remember what supports it Rickwood proposed 4 categories: skill + judgement (overestimate influence on random events), personal traits (greater probability of winning) selective recall (only remember wins) faulty perceptions (gamblers fallacy loses always followed by win). expect to achieve desired outcome so set up self-fulfilling prophecy and behave in way confirming this

Question 29

ao3 for cog theory of gambling addiction

Answer 29

-research support- used modified stroop task finding gamblers took longer with gambling related words shows bias to pay attention further support= Griffiths dound regular gamblers 6x irrational verbalisation than occasional smokers and overestimated their skills x used thinking aloud research- Dickenson and O'connor argue cut remarks not reflect gambler's belief of chance and skill= misleading impression x environmentally reductionist- cog biases only proximate cause but go back in causation chain to find ultimate explanation may be biological