3.1.2 Dopamine & addicton Flashcards Preview

A Level Psychology > 3.1.2 Dopamine & addicton > Flashcards

Flashcards in 3.1.2 Dopamine & addicton Deck (28)
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1
Q

what is dopamine?

A

neurotransmitter involved in learning and pleasure

2
Q

what are high levels of dopamine associated with?

A

addictions and positive symptoms of schizopohrenia

3
Q

dopamine was associated with addiction through research on what animals?

A

rats

4
Q

what is the prefrontal cortex part of?

A

frontal lobe

5
Q

what is the prefrontal cortex involved in?

A

cognitive functions, memory, language, planning and decision making

6
Q

what is the nucleus accumbens and what does it do?

A

small region at the front of the brain which helps regulate survival drives (food, thirst)

7
Q

the nucleus accumbens is not only associated with survival drives but also…

A

motivation and rewards

8
Q

what is the nucleus accumbens affected by?

A

drugs such as cocaine, cannabis and heroin

9
Q

where is the ventral tegmental area (VTA) found?

A

the midbrain

10
Q

what does the ventral tegmental area produce and form?

A

dopamine

one of major dopamine pathways in the brain

11
Q

what is the VTA affected by?

A

drugs, nicotine, alcohol and heroin

12
Q

when using an addictive substance what is activate in the VTA?

A

dopamine neurones

13
Q

neurones then project to the nucleus accumbens via what?

A

the mesolimbic dopamine pathway

14
Q

what does the activation of the nucleus accumbens cause?

A

increased dopamine levels

15
Q

the mesolimbic dopamine system is also known as the pleasure centre what does it induce when activated?

A

feelings of euphoria

16
Q

how could the mesolimbic dopamine pathway be explained in terms of evolutionary behaviours?

A

reward system acts as a source of positive reinforcement encouraging behaviours that help survival and reproduction

17
Q

addictive behaviours and substances trigger the release of dopamine in the 1. _______ leading to a sense of pleasure in the 2._______

A
  1. VTA - ventral tegmental area

2. NA - nucleus accumbens

18
Q

Volkow suggested the mesolimbic dopamine pathway is the starting point for what?

A

an addiction

19
Q

but, what turns the behaviour into an addiction? (volkow)

A

the changes the mesolimbic dopamine pathway causes in the frontal cortex

20
Q

what functions are associated with the frontal cortex?

A

decision making
memory
language
problem solving

21
Q

we can se changes in the frontal lobes circuits which usually decide what?

A

what we pay attention to

22
Q

due to the attention we pay to it the brain attaches what to the behaviour?

A

too much importance

23
Q

so the dopamine system makes the individual want to do what?

A

engage in the addictive behaviour

24
Q

overtime what can long term drug use do to the activity of the dopamine reward system?

A

reduce its activity

25
Q

this decrease in activity is caused by D2 dopamine receptors doing what?

A

decreasing in number

becoming less sensitive to the effects of a substance/ behaviour

26
Q

due to reduced activity more of what is needed?

A

activity to provide the same mood modification

27
Q

due to changes in the brain if the individual stops the behaviour what will they experience?

A

withdrawal symptoms e.g. sweating, mood swings, cold shakes, vomiting, insomnia, depression

28
Q

how does negative reinforcement apply to relapse?

A

by continuing the addiction you are removing something unpleasant (withdrawal symptoms)

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