UNIT 4: PSYA4 Miss Bird (LCB) Addiction UNIT 4: PSYA4 Miss Bird (LCB) lcb@beauchamp.org.uk

The Psychology of Addictive Behaviour AQA A Specification The Psychology of Addictive Behaviour Models of Addictive Behaviour Biological, cognitive and learning approaches to explaining initiation, maintenance and relapse, and their applications to smoking and gambling. Vulnerability to Addiction Risk factors in the development of addiction, including stress, peers, age and personality. Media influences on addictive behaviour. Reducing Addictive Behaviour The theory of planned behaviour as a model for addiction prevention. Types of intervention and their effectiveness, including biological, psychological and public health interventions.

Vulnerability to addiction Why do some people develop addictions and others do not? It’s all about individual differences! Stress. Peers. Age. Personality. Role of the media.

What is stress? Stress is experienced when a person’s perceived demands of a situation are greater than their perceived ability to cope, particularly if they see these demands as threatening to themselves. The experience of stress is as strongly influenced by our perception of a situation as it is by the actual situation itself (i.e. people perceive situations differently and may/may not be stressed about the same things). It has been found that high levels of stress can be linked to addictive behaviours like smoking and gambling.

Independent task STRESS Read the 3 studies in your booklet and answer the 6 questions. NIDA (1999) Driessen et al (2008) Parrott (1995) Extension task: Think about whether any of the pieces of research could be linked to the approaches we have studied.

RECAP: Social Learning Theory Observation of influential role models in the environment receiving a reward for behaviour. Imitate observed behaviour with anticipation of receiving similar reinforcement/reward (vicarious learning).

Independent tasks PEERS Read the study by Eiser et al (1991) in your booklets and apply K&U of SLT. Read the paragraphs on SLT and SIT. Class discussion.

Supporting research Killen et al (1997) Longitudinal study – over 4 years. Investigated risk factors for initiation of cigarette smoking in teenagers. Those with more friends who smoked were significantly more likely to have tried smoking over the study duration. The results suggest that associating with peers who smoke may indeed influence the likelihood of trying smoking.

Supporting research? Killen et al (1997)   However, this study does not investigate addiction specifically, simply the likelihood of trying smoking. Therefore the findings may not be an accurate indicator of the role of peers as a risk factor in developing an addiction.

Brown et al (1997) Found that the influence of peers on smoking and drug use decreases in later adolescence with the role of close friends, and particularly romantic partners, becomes increasingly important as an influence on addictive behaviours. This suggests that individuals are influenced by different people at different ages. It also indicates that adolescence is the peak time for increased vulnerability to addictive behaviours.

Hawkins (1997) Practical applications – these research studies suggest that early interventions that aim to delay the first time use of alcohol (i.e. public health interventions and educational campaigns) could help prevent the development of addictions in later life. Methodology of research studies – correlational and self-report techniques???

Hawkins (1997) Correlational – cannot establish cause and effect. Self-report techniques – retrospective – rely on memory (not always 100% accurate), social desirability bias/demand characteristics – may not be honest in interviews/questionnaires.

Personality: Eysenck (1967) Extraversion – bored, seeks external stimulation to increase brain arousal. Neuroticism – experience negative affect e.g. depression and anxiety. Psychoticism – hostile, aggressive and impulsive (react with little forethought).

Self-esteem Self-esteem is defined as the difference between our self-image and ideal self. If the difference between our self-image and ideal self is small, then self-esteem is high; if the difference between our self-image and ideal self is large, self-esteem is low. It has been suggested that low self-esteem may be a risk factor in developing addiction.

Correlational research Problem of cause and effect. Certain personality traits may be common amongst addicts. However this does not mean they predict addictive behaviour i.e. the two are simply linked. Even if there is a causal relationship, the question is whether the personality trait or the addiction comes first.

What is ‘Locus of Control?’ A person’s perception of personal control over their own behaviour. Measured along a dimension of ‘high internal’ to ‘high external.’

Locus of control Internal LOCUS OF CONTROL External A person believes their behaviour is caused primarily by their own personal decisions and efforts. A person believes their behaviour is caused primarily by fate, luck or by other external circumstances

Locus of control Internal locus of control: individuals perceive themselves as having a great deal of personal control over their behaviour and are therefore more likely to take personal responsibility for it. They are responsible for their own decisions. External locus of control: individuals perceive their behaviour as being caused more by external influences and therefore are less likely to take personal responsibility for it e.g. fate or luck. Other people have the power and make decisions for them.

Independent task Read the research and complete the missing sentence. PERSONALITY Read the research and complete the missing sentence. Be prepared for Q&A!

Ethical issues in addiction research Research in sensitive areas creates ethical issues for researcher. ‘Threat of sanction’ – involves the possibility that research may reveal information that is incriminating in some way. E.g. when interviewing people with a drug addiction who may reveal illegal behaviours as part of the interview. Researchers must weigh up the potential benefits (e.g. possibilities for intervention) against the potential risks (e.g. further discrimination/obligation to report to police).

Independent task Complete the overview table of risk factors in your booklet.

Exam focus Apply your knowledge to the 6-mark past-exam questions on Sally and Ben. Make sure you engage with the scenario!!!

Homework for half-term Download the document from the Beauchamp Psychology website titled ‘media influences cut&stick.’ Cut out the paragraphs, arrange the essay into the correct order using the sub-headings in your booklet to help you and then stick into booklet. Complete the overview table on media and the true or false task.