Addiction UNIT 4: PSYA4

Content 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.

Independent task PEERS Read the study by Eiser et al (1991) in your booklets. Apply your knowledge of SLT to explain the findings.

Supporting research Killen et al (1997) Investigated risk factors for initiation of cigarette smoking in teenagers (both genders, no history of smoking). Longitudinal study – over 4 years. 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.

Independent task AGE Read the study by Brown et al (1997) in your booklets. Complete the concluding sentence.

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.