Addiction takes on a broad range of symptoms, differing by the nature of the addictive substance. Our society, especially in New Mexico, faces a serious addiction epidemic with no fully functional solution in sight. At the Santa Fe Institute, I would like to examine how social dynamics interact with evolutionary and social psychological factors to influence addictive behavior and recovery. The entire project that I would like to pursue is likely too broad and multifaceted for a single summer, but I would prefer a broad outline that provides lots of opportunities for smaller and more specific, fully fleshed out research endeavors.
By looking at selection pressures and mechanisms, the evolutionary niches in which addictive behavior developed may make themselves evident; specifically looking at life history strategies and risk taking behaviors, as well as the evolution of drug use in religious contexts. However, these examinations must be taken with care so as to avoid the assumption that addiction is inherently …show more content…
To this end, I want to examine how socioeconomic status affects addicts and their recovery.
I would like to create a platform to collect data from addicts or rehabilitation facilities, which could provide insight into success rates of different programs. I would also like to garner information from individuals about their lifestyles before, during, and after their addiction in order to compile information, which could be used for more accurate models of patterns of addiction.
This project would explore the evolutionary and psychological etiology and the social nature of addiction and rehabilitation, as well as the differences in addiction and the rehabilitation process as dictated by social standing and socioeconomic
By looking at selection pressures and mechanisms, the evolutionary niches in which addictive behavior developed may make themselves evident; specifically looking at life history strategies and risk taking behaviors, as well as the evolution of drug use in religious contexts. However, these examinations must be taken with care so as to avoid the assumption that addiction is inherently …show more content…
To this end, I want to examine how socioeconomic status affects addicts and their recovery.
I would like to create a platform to collect data from addicts or rehabilitation facilities, which could provide insight into success rates of different programs. I would also like to garner information from individuals about their lifestyles before, during, and after their addiction in order to compile information, which could be used for more accurate models of patterns of addiction.
This project would explore the evolutionary and psychological etiology and the social nature of addiction and rehabilitation, as well as the differences in addiction and the rehabilitation process as dictated by social standing and socioeconomic