Genetics AO3

Question 1

Who conducted research to support genetic vulnerability as a risk factor in addiction?

Answer 1

Kendler et al

Question 2

What did Kendler et al do?

Answer 2

They used data from the National Swedish Adoption Study and looked at adults who had been adopted as children, from biological families in which at least one person had an addiction

Question 3

What did Kendler et al find?

Answer 3

They found that these children later had a significantly greater risk of developing an addiction themselves compared to adopted individuals with no addicted parent in their biological families

Question 4

Why does Kendler et al’s study support genetic vulnerability?

Answer 4

It shows that inheritance of genes can predispose someone to addiction

Question 5

What is a limitation of the research into addiction?

Answer 5

It is often based on correlational research where cause and effect cannot be established

Question 6

What does research into genetic vulnerability show a link between?

Answer 6

It shows a link between risk factors such as genetics and addiction, but it often does not show which came first. For example it could be that addiction causes abnormalities in D2 receptors