Addiction: Explanations of nicotine addiction -Learning Theory TW

Question 1

Which behaviourist principle can be used to explain smoking addiction?

Answer 1

Operant conditioning

Question 2

Operant conditioning is learning through…

Answer 2

Consequence (rewards and punishments)

Question 3

Learning through rewards and punishments is known as…

Answer 3

Operant conditioning

Question 4

Which type of reinforcement explains how an individual FORMS an addiction?

Answer 4

Positive reinforcement

Question 5

Positive reinforcement explains how smoking addiction is ____________ .

Answer 5

Formed

Question 6

What is an individual rewarded with when they inhale nicotine?

Answer 6

Euphoria

Question 7

WHY does nicotine reward an individual with euphoria?

Answer 7

Impact on the dopamine system

Question 8

Nicotines impact on the dopamine system provides the individual with feelings of…

Answer 8

Euphoria

Question 9

According to positive reinforcement, why will an individual smoke again?

Answer 9

To receive the same reward of euphoria

Question 10

What reward are individuals looking to receive from smoking according to positive reinforcement?

Answer 10

Euphoria / pleasure

Question 11

Which type of reinforcement explains why we maintain a smoking addiction?

Answer 11

Negative reinforcement

Question 12

Negative reinforcement explains how we ________ a smoking addiction

Answer 12

Maintain

Question 13

What is negative reinforcement?

Answer 13

Performing a behaviour to AVOID negative consequences

Question 14

What is the difference between negative reinforcement and punishment according to operant conditioning?

Answer 14

Negative reinforcement is an individual repeatedly performing a behaviour to AVOID a negative consequence (increasing the frequency of the behaviour)

WHEREAS

Punishment is where an individual receives the negative consequence which STOPS the behaviour (decreasing it’s frequency)

Question 15

What is the negative consequence nicotine addicts wish to avoid?

Answer 15

Withdrawal

Question 16

What are some symptoms of nicotine withdrawal?

Answer 16

Disturbed sleep, agitation, poor concentration

Question 17

What behaviour is repeated by a nicotine addict to AVOID the negative consequence of withdrawal?

Answer 17

Smoking (inhaling nicotine)

Question 18

How could classical conditioning explain nicotine addiction?

Answer 18

Addict ASSOCIATES nicotine with pleasure

Question 19

Classical conditioning is learning through…

Answer 19

Stimulus, response and ASSOCIATIONS

Question 20

What is meant by a primary reinforcer?

Answer 20

A stimuli that is DIRECTLY rewarding

Question 21

What is meant by a secondary reinforcer?

Answer 21

A stimuli that has become rewarding because of an ASSOCIATION (is indirectly rewarding)

Question 22

According to learning theory, what type of reinforcer is smoking?

Answer 22

A primary reinforcer

Question 23

Why is smoking a primary reinforcer?

Answer 23

As it DIRECTLY affects the brains REWARD pathways - providing pleasure

Question 24

True or False: Primary reinforcers are learnt

Answer 24

False: Primary reinforcers are NOT learnt - they provide natural POSITIVE responses/reactions to a stimuli

Question 25

True or False: Secondary reinforcers are learnt

Answer 25

True: Secondary reinforcers ARE learnt, as they are stimuli which have been ASSOCIATED with primary reinforcers

Question 26

How are secondary reinforcers developed?

Answer 26

By being REPEATEDLY present at the same time as a primary reinforcer

Question 27

How are secondary reinforcers developed in nicotine addictions?

Answer 27

By being REPEATEDLY present at the same time as nicotine is inhaled

Question 28

In the context of nicotine addiction, what can secondary reinforcers also act as?

Answer 28

Cues

Question 29

In the context of nicotine addiction, what is the effect of cues?

Answer 29

Psychological (craving) and physiological (heart rate) reaction

Question 30

What is meant by cue reactivity?

Answer 30

Where an individual has a psychological and physiological reaction to a secondary reinforcer

Question 31

What is the consequence of an individual having a ‘cue reaction’?

Answer 31

They want to smoke (seek primary reinforcement)

Question 32

What are some examples of potential ‘cues’ in nicotine addiction?

Answer 32

Seeing a lighter, certain friends, places etc

Question 33

AO3: What research is there to support the concept of cue reactivity?

Answer 33

Carter & Tiffany (1999)

Question 34

AO3: What did Carter & Tiffany do to research cue-reactivity?

Answer 34

Conducted a meta-analysis of 41 studies into cue-reactivity, presenting smokers and non-smokers with smoking related cues

Question 35

AO3: What did Carter & Tiffany find in regards to cue-reactivity?

Answer 35

Smokers reported higher levels of desire in response to smoking related cues and showed higher heart rates

Question 36

AO3: What type of determinism is learning theory’s explanation of nicotine addiction?

Answer 36

Environmental

Question 37

AO3: What does learning theory suggest an individual is controlled by?

Answer 37

Reinforcements and associations

Question 38

AO3: What practical applications have been developed as a result of learning theory’s explanation of nicotine addiction?

Answer 38

Aversion therapy and covert sensitisation

Question 39

AO3: What research is there to support learning theory of nicotine addiction?

Answer 39

Levin et al

Question 40

AO3: What does learning theory neglect the role of in nicotine addiction?

Answer 40

The role of free will