1. Section B 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

2. Unit 4 Section B is different1
Outline and evaluate the biological approach to explaining smoking behaviour. (4 marks + 6 marks) 2
A recent large survey on behalf of the Gambling Commission provided a number of interesting findings about gambling behaviour in Great Britain. For example, 57% of the population had gambled on the National Lottery Draw in 2007, although the rate of problem gambling in the adult population was only about 0.6%.
Explain some of the difficulties of gathering data about problem gambling. (5 marks)
Andy is in his first year at
university. He is a shy young man who lacks confidence in himself and worries about meeting new people. Since starting university, Andy has preferred to stay in his room, playing strategy games on the internet with his old school friends. Andy often plays all night which means that he sleeps in and misses his lectures. He is finding his course difficult and fears that he may fail his exams or drop out.
Use your knowledge of risk factors in the development of addiction to explain Andy’s addiction to the internet. (6 marks) 3

3. Three styles, five topics
Mini essay
Method
Application of knowledge
Biological, cognitive, learning
Initiation, maintenance, relapse
Smoking and gambling
Risk factors (stress, peers age, personality)
Media influences
Theory of planned behaviour
Interventions (biological, psychological and public health)

4. Methods
January 2010
A large survey on behalf of the Gambling Commission provided a number of interesting findings about gambling behaviour in Great Britain. For example, 57% of the population had gambled on the National Lottery Draw in 2007, although the rate of problem gambling in the adult population was only about 0.6%.
(i) Explain some of the difficulties of gathering data about problem gambling. (5 marks)
June 2011
A study into the effects of warnings on cigarette packets has found that these vary depending on the reason why people smoke in the first place. College students were given questionnaires to assess whether self-esteem self-esteem not in spec played a role in their motivation to smoke. They were then shown cigarette packets with either death-related warnings (eg ‘smokers die young’) or death-neutral warnings (eg ‘smoking makes you unattractive’). Students, to whom smoking was important to their self-esteem, were not put off by warnings of death on cigarette packets. Surprisingly, their attitude to smoking became more positive after being shown such messages. However, warnings related to the source of their self-esteem, (eg ‘smoking makes you unattractive’), significantly reduced positive attitudes to smoking in this group.
The questionnaires consisted of statements such as ‘Smoking makes me feel valued’ and students had to indicate in a tick box the extent to which they agreed/disagreed with each statement.
10 Suggest one other possible statement that could have been used to assess the role of self-esteem. State whether this kind of data is qualitative or quantitative. (2 marks)
1 1 Explain one strength and one limitation of using a questionnaire in this study. (2 marks marks)
Provided a question instead of a statement.
Many thought if words were involved it must be qualitative.

5. Biological, cognitive, learning Initiation, maintenance, relapse
Smoking and gambling
January 2010
(a) Outline and evaluate one explanation of gambling addiction. (4 marks + 6 marks)
(b) 'The relapse rate for smokers in the first three months after trying to give up is estimated at 70%.’
Discuss reasons why relapse occurs in people with addictive behaviour. (5 marks + 5 marks)
(a) Discussed addiction in general rather than gambling.
(b) Many discussed maintenance rather than relapse. Some didn’t do any evaluation.
January 2011
1 1 Outline and evaluate the biological model as an explanation for the maintenance of smoking or gambling one addictive behaviour. (4 marks + 4 marks)
The requirement to select material caused problems (the biological model and maintenance and just one addictive behaviour).
June 2011
0 8 Outline the learning model of addiction. (5 marks)
Mixing up CC and OC and SLT.
Not related to addiction.
January 2012
0 9 Outline and evaluate the biological approach to explaining smoking behaviour. (4 marks + 4 marks)
Weaker answers offered generic evaluation and not specific to smoking.
June 2012
0 9 Outline and evaluate the cognitive approach to explaining problem gambling. (4 marks + 6 marks)
Students who did best structured their description around the stages of gambling addiction (initiation, maintenance and relapse).

6. Biological, cognitive, learning Initiation, maintenance, relapse
Smoking and gambling
Relapse in general: Discuss reasons why relapse occurs in people with addictive behaviour. (5 marks + 5 marks)
Maintenance specific to one model: Outline and evaluate the biological model as an explanation for the maintenance of smoking. (4 marks + 4 marks)
Answers must be specific to gambling / smoking.
Answers must be specific to initiation / maintenance /relapse
Biological
Cognitive
Learning
Initiation
2 marks AO1
2 marks AO2
Maintenance
Relapse
Gambling
2 marks worth = 50 words
Biological
Cognitive
Learning
Initiation
2 marks AO1
2 marks AO2
Maintenance
Relapse
Smoking

7. Mark Knowledge and Understanding Organisation and structure4
Reasonably thorough, accurate
Coherent
3-2
Limited, generally accurate
Reasonably coherent 1
Rudimentary, muddled and/or inaccurate
Lacking
No creditworthy material
Mark
Analysis, understanding and intepretation
Focus
Elaboration
Line of argument 6
Sound
Well focused
Coherent
Clear
5-4
Reasonable
Generally focused
Evident
3-2
Basic. superficial
Sometimes focused
Some evidence 1
Rudimentary, very limited understanding
Weak, muddled, incomplete
Not used effectively
May be mainly irrelevant
No creditworthy material
Quality of written communication also assessed

8. Biological, cognitive, learning Initiation, maintenance, relapse
Smoking and gambling
Outline and evaluate one explanation of gambling addiction. (4 marks + 6 marks)
You can explain gambling in terms of genetics. There is evidence that gambling runs in families which could be due to genetic factors. Shah et al. conducted a twin study and found that there was a genetic factor in men. Furthermore Black et al found that first degree relatives were at a higher risk of developing gambling than more distant relatives. One particular gene has been identified, the D2 dopamine receptor gene, which is common in people who have addiction problems, such as gamblers. Gamblers experience physiological arousal when gambling which results in the release of dopamine in their brain, thus linking to the D2 receptor gene.
However it is difficult to be sure that it was genetic factors and not environmental factors in the gambling in men. Another problem with this research is that not all of the men in the same family become gamblers so this doesn’t support the genetic interpretation. It is difficult to identify particular genes for the addiction problems and without such genes it is hard to claim a cause and effect relationship.
178 words (10 marks should be 200 words)

9. Stress, peers, age, personality
Risk factors
Stress, peers, age, personality
June 2010
1 0 ‘Sally is a young woman who puts herself down all the time. She thinks that she is overweight and has started to diet. Like her parents and some of her friends, Sally smokes cigarettes. Her smoking habit has recently become excessive and she is now addicted to nicotine.’ Triggers relate to old spec
Using your knowledge of the psychology of addictive behaviour, explain some of the likely reasons why Sally has become addicted to smoking. (6 marks)
Some well-informed answers gained little credit because not linked to Sally’s problems.
June 2011
0 9 Explain how self-esteem stress or personality or … can influence vulnerability to addiction. (4 marks)
Lots of anecdotes. ‘Explanation’ not addressed.
January 2012
1 0 Andy is in his first year at university. He is a shy young man who lacks confidence in himself and worries about meeting new people. Since starting university, Andy has preferred to stay in his room, playing strategy games on the internet with his old school friends. Andy often plays all night which means that he sleeps in and misses his lectures. He is finding his course difficult and fears that he may fail his exams or drop out.
Use your knowledge of risk factors in the development of addiction to explain Andy’s addiction to the internet. (6 marks)
The scenario made reference to the four named factors on the specification: stress, peers, age and personality. Either cover all in less detail or a couple of factors in greater detail. Best to identify a risk factor (eg stress) explain how and why this could influence vulnerability to internet addiction using relevant research findings.

10. Risk factors Stress, peers, age, personality
Application questions
Scenario will mention risk factors.
Best to identify a risk factor (eg stress) explain how and why this could influence vulnerability to internet addiction using relevant research findings.
Link to psychology
Andy is in his first year at university. He is a shy young man who lacks confidence in himself and worries about meeting new people. Since starting university, Andy has preferred to stay in his room, playing strategy games on the internet with his old school friends. Andy often plays all night which means that he sleeps in and misses his lectures. He is finding his course difficult and fears that he may fail his exams or drop out. (6 marks)
Andy is shy. Research has shown …
Andy worries about meeting new people and is also finding his course difficult. This means that he is stressed. Research has shown …
Andy is young, as he has just started university. Research has shown …
Andy is still involved with his school friends. Research has shown …

11. Risk factors Stress, peers, age, personality Application questions
Andy is shy. Research has shown …
Extraversion rather than
introversion linked to addiction.
Andy worries about meeting new people and is also finding his course difficult. This means that he is stressed. Research has shown …
… that stress is linked to addiction. Certainly people report that the a major reason for there is to relive stress and NIDA reported that stress contributes to initiation, maintenance and relapse. However this is not true of everyone.
Andy is young, as he has just started university. Research has shown …
… that age is linked to addiction. In later adolescence individuals are more affected by their peer group than at other ages. This means he will be affected by the behaviour of those around him.
Andy is still involved with his school friends. Research has shown …
… that we learn through social identity (Bandura). Identification with peers means individuals model that behaviour.
Social identity theory could also explain peer influences …

12. Application mark scheme
Just identifying risk factors would result in a mark of 1.
Mark
Application
Focus 6
Sound analysis
Well focused and effective
5-4
Reasonable analysis
Generally focused
3-2
Basic, superficial
Sometimes focused 1
Rudimentary, very limited understanding
Weak, muddled, may be largely irrelevant
No creditworthy material
Quality of written communication also assessed

13. Media influences Social learning theory
January 2011
1 2 ‘The more young people see smoking in cinema and TV films, the more likely they are to start smoking themselves.’
Use your knowledge of research into the role of media in addictive behaviour to explain why such films might encourage young people to start smoking. (4 marks)
Research not included in answers.
Maximum 2 marks for no reference to research.
June 2012
1 0 Describe one way in which media may influence addictive behaviour. (4 marks)
Weaker students presented anecdotal answers but included little by way of evidence or psychology to inform their responses.
Answer could refer to anti-drug campaigns.
Social learning theory
Initiation of smoking through identification with role models on TV.
Modelling this behaviour because of vicarious reinforcement.
Waylen et al.
Teenagers who watched films where actors smoked were more likely to take up smoking.
2 marks worth = 50 words

14. Media influences Explanation of influence Evaluation
Social learning theory
Initiation of smoking through identification with role models on TV.
Modelling this behaviour because of vicarious reinforcement.
Media does not always provide vicarious reinforcement …
Films show moral decline and physical deterioration (Boyd).
Example
Teenagers who watched films where actors smoked were more likely to take up smoking (Waylen et al.)
Research support …
Sargent and Hanewinkel surveyed over 4000 adolescents. After 1 year those who watched more films were more likely to have taken up smoking.

15. Theory of planned behaviour
June 2010
1 1 Outline the theory of reasoned action planned behaviour. (5 marks)
Surprising number of candidates didn’t know the theory.
Six things I would say (6 marks, 150 words)
Three evaluative points (6 marks)
A cognitive theory
Too rational
Strong emotions may influence behaviour (Armitage et al.)
Behavioural attitude
Subjective norms
Influence of alcohol and
drugs
Measurements made sober
Perceived behavioural control
Intention
Predicts intention rather than behaviour change (Armitage and Conner)
Especially for difficult behaviours
Behaviour
A behavioral belief is the subjective probability that the behavior will produce a given outcome. Although a person may hold many behavioral beliefs with respect to any behavior, only a relatively small number are readily accessible at a given moment.
Normative beliefs refer to the perceived behavioral expectations of such important referent individuals or groups as the person's spouse, family, friends, and -- depending on the population and behavior studied - - teacher, doctor, supervisor, and coworkers. It is assumed that these normative beliefs -- in combination with the person's motivation to comply with the different referents -- determine the prevailing subjective norm.
Control beliefs have to do with the perceived presence of factors that may facilitate or impede performance of a behavior.

16. Biological, psychological and public health
Intervention
Biological, psychological and public health
June 2010
1 2 Outline two examples of public health interventions aimed at reducing addictive behaviour. (4 marks)
1 3 Assess the effectiveness of public health interventions and/or legislation in reducing addictive behaviour. (10 marks)
12 Candidates wrote about biological or psychological therapies – wrong.
Smoking ban or advertising – good.
13 Poor answers, often repeating part 12.
Good answers included considerations of the problems assessing effectiveness.
January 2011
1 3 Discuss one type of intervention aimed at reducing addictive behaviour. (5 marks + 8 marks)
No credit for models of prevention.
Many candidates considered effectiveness and used relevant studies to support their point.
June 2011
1 2 Using the findings from this study [refers to study the effects of warnings on cigarette packets] and other psychological research, discuss the effectiveness of different types of intervention. (10 marks)
Really bad, not relating to findings of study (attitudes became more positive).
Giving examples of intervention but not effectiveness.
Missing the question.
Don’t say whether they actually work.
January 2012
1 1 Outline and evaluate one psychological intervention aimed at reducing addictive behaviour. (4 marks + 6 marks)
AO2/3 use research evidence to consider the effectiveness of the intervention.
AO2 Effectiveness

17. Biological, psychological and public health
Intervention
Biological, psychological and public health
June 2012
1 1 Kerry has recently married and she and her partner would like to have a baby. She is keen to give up smoking. However, she has tried several times and finds that she experiences unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Kerry’s job is stressful and most of her co-workers also smoke. She has started to despair and thinks that she will never succeed.
Identify one or more interventions which could be used to help Kerry to stop smoking and explain, with reference to the scenario, why your chosen intervention(s) would be appropriate for Kerry. (10 marks)
Application and good psychology was key to higher marks.
The most successful students identified one of the cues in the scenario (e.g. withdrawal symptoms), linked this to an appropriate intervention (nicotine patches or gum) and explained how and why this might be useful for ‘Kerry’ .

18. Application mark scheme
Just identifying risk factors would result in a mark of 1.
Mark
Application
Focus 6
Sound analysis
Well focused and effective
5-4
Reasonable analysis
Generally focused
3-2
Basic, superficial
Sometimes focused 1
Rudimentary, very limited understanding
Weak, muddled, may be largely irrelevant
No creditworthy material
Quality of written communication also assessed

19. Biological, psychological and public health
Intervention
Biological, psychological and public health
The first step for Kerry would be to attend motivational interview sessions as these would help to change her attitude so she is back into the frameset of ‘I want to make a change’. This intervention is based upon the cognitive approach because it aims to replace the thoughts of dependency and despair with a more positive outlook. Also clients should feel empowered and even more inspired to quit, without these cognitions it is very unlikely that someone will be successful in changing their behaviour and stopping an addiction. Kerry may also find combining biological therapies helpful as they work to block the unpleasant withdrawal symptoms by filling the craving with a substitute substance. By using the substitute cravings are no more but there is no positive reward associated therefore the person can be weaned off the substitute drug in comfort. However a problem with biological therapies is that they only tackle the addictive behaviour, rather than the underlying causes of what made the person start in the first place. In order to solve this Kerry should also participate in some sort of rehabilitation in order to ensure that abstinence from smoking is maintained. This will ensure that she does not form an addiction to the substitute drug that decreases the craving for nicotine. One rehabilitation example is if she joins a self help group therapy. These are based on a 12 step guide to quitting, the steps being personal to each group. They are run by addicts who provide inspiration to new members. During therapy addicts learn to accept responsibility for their actions and learn that addictions cannot be treated but merely arrested. Kerry would find these sessions beneficial as the other group members would support through quitting smoking but also they would provide positive reinforcement through appraisal of maintaining abstinence from cigarettes words (10 marks = 250 words)

20. Covered:
Motivational interview – cognitive
Biological therapies
Problem
Maintenance programme e.g. self group therapy
Beneficial because social support

21. Biological, psychological and public health
Intervention
Biological, psychological and public health
Know one very well
Biological intervention
e.g. Use of SSRIs to increase serotonin for gambling (Hollander et al.)
Psychological intervention
e.g. CBT can address cognitive biases.
Public health
e.g. Quitlines, repeated callbacks from a counsellor.
AO2 Effectiveness
Some evidence that it is not effective. Hollander was very small (N=10). Larger and longer study (32 Ps, 6 months) found no benefit (Blanco et al.)
Significant improvements in male pathological gamblers (Sylvain et al.), even at one year follow up (relapse prevention).
More effective by 50% than brief counselling / self-help materials (Stead et al.)

22. Wrapping it up Essay possibilities Research methods 8+16 marks
4 + 6
3 + 6
2 + 8
2 + 4
0 + 8
4 + 0
1 mark = 25 words
Know what 25 words looks like
Research methods 2 3