PSYA4 Addictive Behaviour

1. PSYA4 Addictive Behaviour Pub Quiz 1 Models of Addictive Behaviour

2. Round 1 • Name three Models of Addiction • Name 2 different biological models of addiction. • Which gene is linked to severe alcoholism, cocaine, heroine and nicotine addiction? • How is the A1 variant of this gene supposed to make it more likely someone will be addicted to drugs? • What percentage heritability for alcohol addiction did McGue find in 1999?

3. Round 2 • What is the mesolimbic pathway’s role in initiating addiction? • How does down regulation contribute to maintenance of an addiction? • According to the Disease model why do addicts relapse? • Name the drug a sex addict was given to curb his addiction to pornography? • Give two criticisms of the Biological model

4. Round 3 • Name 3 cognitive models of addiction. • How does Gelkopf et al’s Self Medication model explain initiation of an addiction? • Expectancy theory - how does Brandon (2004) explain why addiction is maintained? • What gender differences did Sher et al find in alcohol addiction in 1996? • Why is it difficult to explain maintenance and relapse in gambling using the Rational Choice Theory?

5. Round 4 • Name 3 learning theories of addiction. • What does self-efficacy mean? • Name positive reinforcers in gambling • Give an example of a negative reinforcer that helps maintain an addiction. • Name 2 secondary reinforcers for addictive behaviour • What is the primary reason why adolescents take drugs?

6. Round 5 • What effect does nicotine have on the brain? • What is the most likely explanation for why people start smoking? • What were the findings of the study by Buka et al (2003) on the relationship between smoking in pregnancy and offspring smoking? • Name 2 explanations for why some people are more likely to become pathological gamblers. • Give 2 synoptic points relating to smoking and gambling addictions.

7. Answers - Round 1 • Name three Models of Addiction • Biological, Cognitive and learning • Name 2 different biological models of addiction. • Genetics and disease models • Which gene is linked to severe alcoholism, cocaine, heroine and nicotine addiction? • DRD2 • How is the A1 variant of this gene supposed to make it more likely someone will be addicted to drugs? • Fewer dopamine receptors in pleasure centres of the brain, so need drugs that increase dopamine levels to compensate for this • What percentage heritability for alcohol addiction did McGue find in 1999?50-60%

8. Answers - Round 2 • What is the mesolimbic pathway’s role in initiating addiction? • Creates lasting memories that link the drug to a pleasurable reward • How does down regulation contribute to maintenance of an addiction? • Reduction in the activity of the reward circuits causes withdrawal symptoms, sadness and anxiety – crave drug to relieve these symptoms • According to the Disease model why do addicts relapse? • Frontal cortex becomes less effective at making decisions and judging consequences of actions. • Name the drug a sex addict was given to curb his addiction to pornography? • nalextrone • Give two criticisms of the Biological model • Reductionist, much based on animal research, inconsistent research findings

9. Answers - Round 3 • Name 3 cognitive models of addiction. • Self medication, Expectancy theories, Rational Choice Theory • How does Gelkopf et al’s Self Medication model explain initiation of an addiction? • Intentionally take drug to relieve psychological symptoms. • Expectancy theory - how does Brandon (2004) explain why addiction is maintained? • Unconscious expectations involving automatic processing • What gender differences did Sher et al find in alcohol addiction in 1996? • Men report higher levels of positive expectations for tension reduction, social lubrication, activity enhancement • Why is it difficult to explain maintenance and relapse in gambling using the Rational Choice Theory? • Because they should stop gambling if they keep losing, but this is not the case

10. Answers -Round 4 • Name 3 learning theories of addiction. • Operant conditioning, classical conditioning, Social Learning Theory • What does self-efficacy mean? • An individuals belief that s/he can wilfully resist or refuse to engage in a behaviour • Name positive reinforcers in gambling • Adrenaline rush, psychological reward (near misses), peer praise, financial rewards • Give an example of a negative reinforcer that helps maintain an addiction. • Withdrawal symptoms • Name 2 secondary reinforcers for addictive behaviour • Sights and sounds of a pub, passing a betting shop e,t,c • What is the primary reason why adolescents take drugs? • Peer pressure, social acceptance

11. Answers - Round 5 • What effect does nicotine have on the brain? • Activates nAchRs in brain – release of dopamine in nucleus accumbens – temporary, short lived feelings of pleasure. This needs to be repeated frequently to be maintained i.e. smoking another cigarette • What is the most likely explanation for why people start smoking? • Psychosocial motives • What were the findings of the study by Buka et al (2003) on the relationship between smoking in pregnancy and offspring smoking? • Children were more likely to smoke if mum had smoked at least 20 cigs a day during pregnancy • Name 2 explanations for why some people are more likely to become pathological gamblers. • Genetic, sensation seeker, boredom avoidance • Give 2 synoptic points relating to smoking and gambling addictions. • Gender bias in research into smoking, importance of blind design in twin studies to avoid bias