Addictive Behaviour - The Biological Approach

GAMBLING

INITIATION

• Genetics - studies have shown that pathological gambling runs in families.
• Shah et al (2005) - found evidence of genetic transmission of gambling in men.

MAINTENANCE

• Pituitary-adrenal response - research suggests that pathological gambling is associated with an underactive pituitary-adrenal response to gambling stimuli.
• Zuckerman et al (1979) - there are individual differences in the need for optimal amounts of stimulation. Sensation seekers look for varied or novel experiences. High sensation seekers have a lover appreciation of risk and anticipate arousal as more positive than do low sensation seekers, are therefore more likely to gamble.

RELAPSE

• Boredom avoidance - the pathological gambler is seen as a person who needs intense stimulation and excitement.
• Blaszczynski et al (1990) - found that poor tolerance for boredom may contribute to repetitive gambling behaviour.

SMOKING

INITIATION

• Role of genetics - family and twin studies estimate the heritability of tobacco smoking to be between 39% and 80%.
• Boardman et al (2008) - a US study of 348 identical twins and 321 same-sex fraternal twin pairs. Estimated heritability for regular smoking to be 42%

MAINTENANCE

• Effects of nicotine - nicotine affects brain chemistry by activating nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAchRs) in the brain which leads to release of dopamine.

RELAPSE

• Twin studies - suggest that the ability to quit smoking is also subject to genetic influences.
• Xian et al (2003) - found that 54% of the risk for failure to quit could be attributed to heritability.

Evaluation

• Neglect other factors - such as social aspects, furthermore if smoking addiction is purely biological, it should be able to be treated by pharmalogical methods.
• Animal research - lots of research is into non-human research, the problem is that the animals used aren't similar to humans. Also, research on animals is not moral and the animals have a lower quality of life, however the ends justify means.
• Deterministic - the biological approach states that people with the specific gene will be more susceptible to gambling or smoking.
• Individual differences - other factors are not considered, for example peers and age.
• Reductionist - reduce a complex issue such as smoking or gambling addiction to a simple level of explanation.
• Nature/Nurture - the biological approach looks at nature more than the nurture side of this issue.

Phobic Disorders - Clinical Characteristics of Phobic Disorders

There are seven main characteristics of a phobic behaviour:

1. The individual shows a marked and persistent fear that is excessive or unreasonable.
2. A reaction occurs when the feared situation is near or expected.
3. A response is immediately produced.
4. The individual recognises that the fear is excessive or unreasonable.
5. The fear significantly interferes with the individual's normal routine, occupation or social routine.
6. Where the individual is under 18 years of age, the anxiety must have gone on for at least six months.
7. The anxiety is not accounted for by anything else.

The two key features of a phobic disorder:

1. The phobia interferes with everyday life
2. The individual is aware that the fear is excessive or unreasonable.

There are three types of phobia:

• Specific Phobias
• Situational Phobias
• Socal Phobias