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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.

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Process

How does classical conditioning explain smoking cues?

Process

How does operant conditioning maintain smoking behaviour?

Key term

Define cue reactivity in nicotine addiction.

Process

Why can cravings return years after someone stops smoking?

Process

How does social learning theory explain the start of smoking?

Key term

What are secondary reinforcers in nicotine addiction?

Process

What do classical and operant conditioning each explain about smoking?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 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. 2

    What type of response does nicotine itself produce before any conditioning has occurred?

    Model answer

    An unconditioned response of pleasure or reward.

  3. 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. 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. 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. 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.

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