AQA A-Level Psychology 7182
Social Influence
Memory
Attachment
Approaches in Psychology
Biopsychology
Clinical Psychology and Mental Health
Research Methods
Scientific Processes
Quantitative and Qualitative Data
Data Handling and Analysis
Inferential Testing
Issues and Debates in Psychology
RelationshipsOption 1
GenderOption 1
Cognition and DevelopmentOption 1
SchizophreniaOption 2
Eating BehaviourOption 2
StressOption 2
AggressionOption 3
Forensic PsychologyOption 3
AddictionOption 3
Explanations for Nicotine AddictionOption 3
Explanations for Nicotine Addiction
Learning theory as applied to nicotine addiction, including reference to cue reactivity
- 7 things to know
- Paper 3
Overview
Classical conditioning of smoking cues, operant conditioning of the behaviour itself, cue reactivity, and why cravings can return long after stopping.
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
How does operant conditioning maintain smoking behaviour?
Define cue reactivity in nicotine addiction.
Why can cravings return years after someone stops smoking?
How does social learning theory explain the start of smoking?
What are secondary reinforcers in nicotine addiction?
What do classical and operant conditioning each explain about smoking?
Questions from this subtopic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
In classical conditioning terms, what initially neutral stimulus might become associated with nicotine's rewarding effects?
Model answer
Environmental stimuli such as the sight of a cigarette packet, which are repeatedly paired with nicotine intake.
- 2
What type of response does nicotine itself produce before any conditioning has occurred?
Model answer
An unconditioned response of pleasure or reward.
- 3
What happens to a neutral stimulus after it has been repeatedly paired with nicotine use?
Model answer
It becomes a conditioned stimulus that can trigger responses on its own.
- 4
What response does a conditioned stimulus produce in a nicotine addict when presented alone?
Model answer
A conditioned response of craving for nicotine.
- 5
How does positive reinforcement in operant conditioning explain the maintenance of smoking behaviour?
Model answer
The pleasurable effects of nicotine act as a reward, increasing the likelihood that smoking behaviour will be repeated.
- 6
Explain how negative reinforcement contributes to continued nicotine use according to operant conditioning.
Model answer
Smoking removes unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, and this relief from discomfort increases the likelihood of continued smoking behaviour.
Other ways to work this
The same content, four other ways.
What is inside Levo
Six ways to work the same material.
Every question in Explanations for Nicotine Addiction, on a schedule.
Attempt a question from memory, write the correct version, then attempt it again. Levo records the jump between your first attempt and your last, and brings each question back on the day you are due to forget it.
Or £46 a year, about £3.83 a month. Cancel anytime.