Risk Factors in the Development of Addiction (AQA A Level Psychology): Flashcards

False.

MZ twins are more likely to be treated similarly by parents, so concordance differences may reflect upbringing rather than genes.

Other factors such as exposure, availability, stress, family influence and peers also affect predisposition to addiction.

It implies individuals have limited control over addictive behaviour, undermining free will and raising ethical concerns about blame and responsibility.

It focuses on genes and neurotransmitters while ignoring psychological, social or cognitive factors; a more holistic approach would consider their interaction.

False.

There is no such thing as an addictive personality, and traits such as hostility and neuroticism have not been linked with addiction (Butler & Montgomery, 2004).

Antisocial personality disorder (APD), which begins in early adolescence and incorporates many risk factors, the key one being impulsivity.

A lack of planning, a high degree of risk-taking, a preference for immediate gratification and a chaotic lifestyle.

Harm avoidance, novelty seeking and reward dependence.

Harm avoidance is the amount a person worries and sees the negative elements of a situation, making them cautious, apprehensive and likely to avoid risky behaviours.

Novelty seeking is when an individual actively and impulsively seeks new environments and exciting experiences.

Reward dependence is a strong need for approval and social attachments, being motivated by the anticipation of positive outcomes.

Novelty seeking overlaps closely with the impulsivity identified in APD.

High novelty seeking, low harm avoidance and a need to fit in socially.

Novelty seeking predicted alcohol abuse, but harm avoidance and reward dependence had a less consistent relationship with addiction.

Many studies support the link between impulsivity and addiction, possibly because they share a neurological basis or a common genetic component.

A child observes family role models enjoying smoking or drinking, learns through vicarious reinforcement that it is pleasurable, and imitates them.

Expectancies are schemas formed from learning and experience in the family environment, which allow a child to predict their parents' reaction if they try addictive substances.

If a child perceives parental approval of an addictive behaviour, they feel free to try it because they do not fear disapproval.

Peer pressure has been linked to first-time use of nicotine and recreational drugs, especially in adolescence.

People may become addicted to substances that give temporary relief as a way of coping, though good social support reduces this likelihood.

False.

It is a correlation: people with addictions may move to cheaper areas with greater availability of substances, and addiction may itself increase stress.

Teenagers who had an alcohol-related injury were significantly more likely to have parents who drank alcohol daily.

Final-year students allowed by parents to drink at home were significantly more likely to drink excessively at college the following year.

Severe childhood trauma correlated strongly with adult alcohol addiction, but only for those diagnosed with PTSD, suggesting both a vulnerability and a later stressor are needed.

Understanding risk factors and how they interact gives an opportunity to identify those in the population most at risk.

Educational campaigns in schools, e.g., Tobler et al.'s (2000) peer pressure resistance training programme to prevent smoking.

Combinations of risk factors matter more than single factors, and some factors are protective, so the path to addiction is more complex.

Cause and effect is unclear, e.g., adolescents already vulnerable to drug use may be attracted to deviant peer groups rather than peers causing addiction.

True.

Both suggest individuals may be predisposed to addiction, which challenges personal responsibility and free will.

It focuses narrowly on traits while ignoring social and situational factors; a holistic perspective recognising interacting risk factors is more appropriate.