The biological approach to gambling and smoking Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in The biological approach to gambling and smoking Deck (31)
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1
Q

Gambling:

Initiation- the role of genetics

A

Studies have shown that gambling runs in the family and can account for why some people start gambling. Research has found that first degree relatives of pathological gamblers were more likely to suffer from pathological gambling demonstrating a strong genetic link.

2
Q

Gambling:

Initiation evaluation-genetics can explain individual differences

A

Can explain why some individuals develop pathological gambling where others dont. Some people are more vulnerable to an addiction rather than others because of their genetic predisposition.

3
Q

Gambling:

Initiation evaluation- however genes ignores environmental influences

A

By using just the genetics, it ignores external factors such as accessibility to gambling and incentives to gamble. It is more likely gambling is a product of biological and external factors.

4
Q

Gambling:
Maintenance-Why do pathological gamblers gamble more than recreational-study
pituitary-adrenal response

A

pathological gamblers are associated with an under active pituitary-adrenal response. When measuring gambler’s cortisol levels before and after a video of their preferred gambling ways, the pathological gamblers had less cortisol in their saliva meaning they have an under active pituitary-adrenal response so they have to gamble more to get the same cortisol levels.

5
Q

Gambling:

Maintenance is split into 2 sections

A

Pituitary adrenal response

sensation seeking

6
Q

Gambling:

what are the 5 evaluation points for the biological approach of gambling

A
Reductionist
Explains individual differences
ignore environmental
there are limitations
sensation seeking and type of gambling linked
7
Q

Gambling:
maintenance
sensation seeking

A

there are individual differences in the need for optimal amounts of stimulation. Sensation seekers look for varied or novel experiences and have a lower appreciation of risk and anticipate arousal as more positive. Fewer D2 receptors

8
Q

Gambling:
maintenance
evaluation
Sensation seeking and types of gambling linked

A

There are 2 subgroups of gamblers. One is made of those who play active games for arousal-fewer D2 receptors.
Those who play ‘passive games’ and who gamble to avoid unpleasant emotional states.

9
Q

Gambling:
Relapse
Boredom avoidance personality

A

the pathological gambler is seen as a person who needs this intense stimulation and excitement. Poor tolerance for boredom may contribute to repetitive gambling behaviour. path. gamblers had higher boredom proneness scores than non pathological gamblers

10
Q

Gambling:
relapse
evaluation-what are the 2 evaluation points?

A

reductionist

limitations

11
Q

Gambling:
maintenance
evaluation-what is the evaluation?

A

Sensation seeking and type of gambling linked

12
Q

Gambling:
Relapse
Reductionist

A

They reduce the complex phenomenon into a simple level of explanation ignoring other potential influences e.g. behavioural influences.

13
Q

Gambling:
relapse
limitations-why is one thing addictive?

A

cannot explain why some types of gambling is addictive. men and women who got hooked on video gambling became addicted in a year, those who bet on horses can take up to 3 years to get addicted.

14
Q

Smoking:
initiation
The role of genetics

A

it has been estimated the heritability of smoking is between 40-80%. Individual differences in smoking initiation were explained by both genetic and environmental influences.

15
Q

Smoking:
initiation
genetics-what is a limitation of this?

A

why dont all people whose parents smoke, smoke? could we have a genetic predisposition that becomes triggered.

16
Q

Smoking:
maintenance:
what are the 2 sections of maintenance?

A

the effects of nicotine

pre-natal exposure to nicotine.

17
Q

Smoking:
maintenance: the effects of nicotine

A

Nicotine dependence was primarily influenced by genetic factors, initiation may be more influenced by genetics but the continuation is linked more strongly to individual differences in nicotine metabolism. Nicotine activates receptors in the brain which leads to the release of dopamine. As time goes on nicotine levels drop and can be increased by taking another cigarette.

18
Q

Smoking:

maintenance-there is supporting research for this by an Icelandic study

A

Researchers have identified a specific gene variant that influenced the number of cigarettes smoked per day, nicotine dependence and the risk of developing smoking related diseases. Those who smoked less than 10 a day were less likely to have this variant. Genetic factors may not determine smoking initiation but makes it more likely someone will become dependent.

19
Q

Smoking:

maintenance- link between smoking in pregnancy and later addiction

A

women who smoked heavily during pregnancy doubled the risk of their child becoming addicted to tobacco if they did begin smoking. This is because of the chromosome that has a gene variant that is likely to be passed on which is caused by nicotine.

20
Q

Smoking:

relapse- how do genetics influence relapse?

A

54% of the risk for quit failure could be attributed to heritability. Research has also attempted to identify the specific gene clusters associated with quit success and with nicotine dependence with the aim of matching specific treatments with those who are more likely to benefit from them.

21
Q

Smoking:
relapse
what are the 2 evaluation points for relapse?

A

implications for treatment

quitting may be down to genetics.

22
Q

Smoking:
relapse
evaluation
implications for treatment

A

Screening people to identify those who carry the genes that increase their susceptibility to specific addictions can be advised to change their behaviour or seek treatment to reduce their chances of developing those diseases. However, it is expensive to do so and it is unlikely to be successful given the small associations made between specific genes and addictions

23
Q

Smoking:
relapse
evaluation
quitting may be down to genetics

A

the effectiveness for smoking cessation may be moderated by a persons genetic make up. Those with a variant of a gene were twice as likely to quit smoking with a nicotine replacement therapy. Genetic testing may allow therapist to chose the most appropriate form of treatment to allow them to quit.

24
Q

General

Initiation-family and twin studies

A

Genes contribute to the development of alcohol dependence with heritability estimations of between 50% and 60%.
Genes do too with drug use estimating between 45%-80%
A significant proportion of the genetic influence on alcohol and drug dependence manifests itself in a general predisposition which may lead to dependence on addiction but may lead to antisocial behaviour too.

25
Q

General
Maintenance
How can you link in the maintenance off the general with the maintenance off addiction in offspring with those with smoking mothers/

A

A variant of a gene has been found in 2/3 of deceased alcoholics and 1/5 of non-alcoholics. There has been an increase prevalence of this variant among children born to alcoholics reflecting the intra-family risk. Those with this variant appear to have fewer dopamine receptors and hence addiction occurs to try and compensate for this deficiency by stimulating the receptors that they do have. The addiction is hence maintained.

26
Q

General
The disease model- the role of dopamine
Initiation-reward system

A

Addictive drugs stimulate a reward system in the brain that triggers the release of dopamine telling the brain to ‘do it again.’ The system creates lasting memories that link the drug to a pleasurable reward

27
Q

General
The disease model-the role of dopamine
evaluation
what is the support between sex addiction and dopamine

A

A young adult who was addicted to pornography was given a drug which blocked the release of dopamine. By blocking the reward, it extinguished the addictive power of that behaviour. Supporting dopamine’s role.

28
Q

General
the disease model-the role of dopamine
maintenance-avoid unpleasurable state

A

Chronic exposure to an addictive substance results in a reduction in the activity of these positive reward systems. People then suffer from withdrawal symptoms and hence no longer use the drug to obtain the pleasurable experience but instead to avoid an unpleasurable state.As a result, drug levels needed o trigger the dopamine increase.

29
Q

General
maintenance
evaluation
link between smoking and offspring an a gene

A

these is research supporting the claim that the gene was important in the influence of addictive behaviour. However, recent research has found no relationship/weak relationship.

30
Q

General
the disease model- the role of dopamine
relapse- cues of dopamine all around.

A

brain is still receiving difficult to resist signals of imminent reward which force the addict to take the drug again. Permanent recovery is made difficult because of the lasting memories of the drug. Cues predict the dopamine will be released and a reward will occur and so their capacity for self control is weakened causing relapse

31
Q

What is an addiction?

A

a mental disorder whereby the individual loses their control over a particular behaviour.