Explaining addiction

Overview

Genetic vulnerability, learning theory through positive and negative reinforcement, classical conditioning of cravings and social learning, and how genes and learning interact.

What you need to know

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Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1. 1

   How do genes explain addiction?

   Model answer

   The genetic explanation says some people inherit a vulnerability that makes addiction more likely. Addiction tends to run in families.

2. 2

   How could genes make a person more vulnerable to addiction?

   Model answer

   Genes may affect how strongly a person feels the pleasurable effects of a substance. A stronger reward could make repeated use more likely.

3. 3

   What is a strength of the genetic explanation of addiction?

   Model answer

   Twin and adoption studies show that addiction is more common among biological relatives. The explanation helps explain why only some users become addicted.

4. 4

   What is a weakness of the genetic explanation of addiction?

   Model answer

   Genes cannot explain why a person starts using a substance in the first place. Environmental factors such as peers and availability also matter.

5. 5

   What is the learning theory explanation of addiction?

   Model answer

   Learning theory says addiction is learned through conditioning and the example of others. Behaviour that is rewarded is more likely to be repeated.

6. 6

   How does positive reinforcement explain addiction?

   Model answer

   A substance or behaviour produces pleasant feelings, which reward the person. The reward makes the person more likely to repeat it.

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