Psychology: Addiction (Biological Approach)

Front 1

State a biological explanation for the initiation of gambling.

Back 1

-Genetics.
E.g Black (2006) Found..
First degree relatives of pathological gamblers were more likely to suffer from a gambling addiction than more distant relatives.

Front 2

State two biological explanations for maintenance of gambling.

Back 2

1) Neurochemical.
E.g. Paris(2010) found..
Gamblers have an under active pituitary adrenal response. Demonstrated no salvitory cortisol increase in response to gambling.
2)Genetics-'sensation seeking'
E.g.Zuckerman(1979) Found..
Ind. Dif. in need for optimal amount of stimulation. high sensation seekers have lower appreciation f risk and anticipate arousal as positive.

Front 3

State a biological explanation for gambling relapse.

Back 3

-Boredom avoidance
E.g. Blasczynski found..
Pathological gamblers had significantly higher boredom proneness scores than a control group of non-gamblers.

Front 4

State one biological explanation for initiation of smoking addiction.

Back 4

-Genetics
E.g. Vink (2000) found..
Genetics explained 44% of smoking initiations in males and females. Carried out on Dutch Twin Pairs.

Front 5

State two biological explanations for the maintenance of a smoking addiction.

Back 5

1) Individual Differences in Nicotine Metabolism
E.g. Vink (2005) found..
Regular smoking linked to nicotine metabolism. Those with a high nicotine metabolism released more dopamine(pleasure) Has a 75% gen. influence.
2)Genetics. 'Smoking during pregnancy'
E.g. Buka Et Al (2003) found..
Women who smoked heavily during pregnancy doubled risk of child becoming addicted. Dependent on socioeconomic status, age and child gender.

Front 6

State one biological explanation for smoking relapse.

Back 6

-Genetics.
E.g Xian (2003)
54% of risk failure could be attributed to heritability.

Front 7

Explain 4 general evaluation points of the biological explanation for smoking and gambling.

Back 7

S- Can explain why some people are more vunerable to developing addictions.
S- Can treat as a disease which is treatable.
S- Social status linked to dopamine sensitivity. E.g. Marital breakdown.
L-A1 variation of the DRD2, been found in people with other disorders. E.g. Terrets & Autism.

Front 8

Give 3 Strengths of the biological approach for explaining smoking.

Back 8

1) Supportive research. Thoregeurssion Et Al (2008) identified a gene variant of chromosomes which influences smoking. Those who smoked >10 a day had it.
2)Implications for treatment, can identify those with genes and be pro-active. However, Gartner Et Al- Unsuccessful because of small association between specific genes and smoking addiction.
3)Treatment can be moderated by a persons genetic makeup.

Front 9

Give 3 Limitations of the biological approach for explaining smoking addiction.

Back 9

1) Reductionist.
2) Deterministic.
3) Ignores other determining factors. E.g. Social context (environment etc.)

Front 10

Explain 2 Strengths of the biological approach for explaining gambling addiction.

Back 10

1) Supportive evidence for sensation seekers. Bonnaire Et Al (06). Pathological gamblers (racetracks) scored higher on sensation seeking test than those who gambled in cafes. (L) Subgroups. Sensation seeking can't be a generalised characteristic.
2) Explains individual differences/Why only some people develop an addiction.

Front 11

State 3 limitations of the biological approach for explaining gambling addiction.

Back 11

1) Ignores environmental and situational factors. E,g, accessibility to gambling.
2)Deterministic
3) Can't explain why some forms are more addictive. E.g. green & Zimmerman found that men and women hooked on video games took 1yr to get obsessive. Other forms take up to 3.5yrs.