Addiction revision guide

A study guide for the health problems unit

For each of the following questions, be able to do the following:

1. Think about which terms and/or theories would be necessary to define or explain.
2. Provide 2 - 3 studies that could be used to answer the question.
3. What would be the holistic points that you would have to make?
4. How would different command terms lead to different responses?

Question 1. Discuss one or more biological explanations of one health problem.

Define Key vocabulary / The term addiction suggests that the individual cannot control their behavior .
description of theory Other responses always include a compulsion to use the substance
continuously in order to avoid discomfort in its absence .

Theory - The role of dopamine - In the study of addiction , one

neurotransmitter stands out , that is , dopamine . Research on addiction
shows a “chemical cocktail” of several neurotransmitters that may be
important with each chemical playing a different role . . Reward pathway .

Thesis Statement and The firing of the neurons acts as an agonist for a neurotransmitter - that is ,
Counter Argument the drug may bind to a receptor site on a postsynaptic neuron , causing the
neuron to fire .
Counterargument - The firing of these neurons may result in activation of the
brain’s reward system - the nucleus accumbens
Research
Key Studies-

Research 1: Setiwawan et.al (2013)

Topic sentence/key point

Aim– Testing the mechanism of Nucleus accunbens on healthy social drinkers

.
Method- (sample, task, IV/DV)-
1. Sample size - 26 healthy social drinkers
 2. Task - Undergoing PET scan after drinking either juice or alcohol . In
each condition , they were asked to drink 3 times in 15 mins
3. IV- The brain changes shown via PET scans in participants
4. DV- Intake of alcohol

Results - Numerical data and result statements

When drinking , those considered “ high risk” for alcoholism showed
significantly greater activity in nucleus accumbens .

C- Conclusion- Alcohol is an agonist for dopamine

Research 2: Olds and milner

Topic sentence/key point:

Aim- To test the effect of addiction using a animal model

Method- (sample, task, IV/DV) - Rats were implanted with VTA in their
electrodes
electrical stimulation led to the release of dopamine in what Olds called the
“pleasure center” of the brain
Results - Numerical data and result statements-
C- Conclusion- In favor of the aim

Supporting Points Research: Aim and Conclusion- same results have been
found in humans. Oldfield (2017) found that the nucleus accumbens is highly
active when people with gambling addiction experience cravings.

Holistic points/Critical 2 points minimum for each

Thinking Study 1:Setiwan et.al demonstrates a biological approach to addiction by
showing the connection between the role of dopamine playing a effect on the
nervous reward system .
How the nucleus accumbens is affected by the intake of drinks is unclear .

Study 2: Olds and Milner first used an animal model of rats , a strong sample
as the rats’ brain configuration is similar to humans and showed promising
results by a cause and effect relationship between electrical stimulation and
the release of dopamine .
A further extension of a study carried out on humans with a similar aim was
carried out . Increasing the validity of the original study .

CT point for Concept/topic of the essay:

 Biological basis for addiction is present in some cases as the role of
dopamine and nucleus accumbens is demonstrated clearly with 2 different
studies .

Question 2. Discuss one or more cognitive explanations of one health problem.

Define Key vocabulary / Addiction - The term addiction suggests that the individual cannot
description of theory control their behaviour . Other responses always include a compulsion
to use the substance continuously in order to avoid discomfort in its
absence .
Cognitive - The process of acquiring knowledge through sensory ,
understanding and brain functions
THEORIES -
The theory of planned behaviour - has been applied to substance use
and abuse . It may help us to understand behaviour that leads to
addiction .
Self determination theory - Suggest that instead of our behaviour being
decided by rational thinking , it may be more the result of internal
motivations and perception of oneself . By ( Ryan and deci 2000)
Thesis Statement and Human behaviour determines the extent of addiction in an individual .
Counter Argument Counter Argument - Limitations in the theories
Research
Key Studies

Research 1:Johnston and white (2003)

Topic sentence/key point

Aim- test the effectiveness of the theory of planned behaviour in

predicting binge drinking behaviour
Method- (sample, task, IV/DV)
1. Sample - 223 australian UG’s . Mean age - 26
2. Task - prospective study over 1 week period , Measuring the 3
aspects of TPB , and questions on likert scale
3. IV - The intake of alcohol over the period by the participants
over 2 weeks .
4. DV - The questions asked
 Results - Numerical data and result statements
= 38% engaged in binge drinking .
Components of the theory accounted for 69% of the variance in the
participants’ behaviour .

C- Conclusion- Study demonstrated consistent criticisms of the theory .

Research 2: Wong and Rowland ( 2013 )

Topic sentence/key point:

Aim-Investigate Role of autonomy on alcohol consumption

Method- (sample, task, IV/DV)

1. Sample - 644 UG students with mean age of 23.58 .
(67.2%female . 87.2% caucasian )
2. Task - Online questionnaires
3. Method - Longitudinal study
4. IV - Intake of alcohol
5. DV - Questions asked by the researchers

Results - Numerical data and result statements- students with high

levels of autonomy were more likely to report that they didn;t drink in
the last 6 months .
C- Conclusion- Consistent results in favour of the aim . Positive
relationship between both the variables .

Supporting Points Research: Aim and Conclusion

Holistic points/Critical 2 points minimum for each

Thinking Study 1:The study is correlational in nature .
The 3 aspects of the TOP theory were taken into consideration , thus
increasing the validity of the theory by providing evidence .

Study 2:The variables of “ intrinsic and extrinsic” motivations , similarly

autonomy , are difficult to measure .
The study does not demonstrate how the 3 variables of the theory
interacted to produce the results of the study

CT point for Concept/topic of the essay:

Both theories served as a basis for the discussion of the role of thinking
and edison making in addiction .
Question 3. Discuss one or more sociocultural explanations of one health problem.

Define Key vocabulary / The term addiction suggests that the individual cannot control their
description of theory behaviour . Other responses always include a compulsion to use the
substance continuously in order to avoid discomfort in its absence .

Theory - The role of stress -

Stress has an effect on our physiology , influencing on the like;ihood of
addictive behaviour .
Modern research is interested in the role that adverse childhood
experiences may play as a predictor of substance abuse of addiction

Thesis argument and Childhood experiences increase of the likelihood of addiction

counterargument
Research
Key Studies

Research 1:Morgan et.al (2002)

Topic sentence/key point

Aim- to show social hierarchy may play role in drug related behaviour
Method- (sample, task, IV/DV)
Sample - Monkeys
Task - monkeys spent 18 months in isolation
IV - The behaviour of monkeys
DV - Time spent in isolation

Results - Numerical data and result statements-

When self administered cocaine was made available to the monkeys , the
subordinate monkeys took more cocaine than dominant ones .
 C- Conclusion- Suggests that environmental stressors can produce
profound biological changes that may have significant behavioural
repercussions , including vulnerability to cocaine addiction .

Research 2: Bauman et al (1990)

Topic sentence/key point:

Aim-To find out whether parents’ drug behaviour affects their children’s .

Method- (sample, task, IV/DV)

Method - Observational study
Sample - American students
IV- Data obtained
DV - The students smoking

Results - Numerical data and result statements

80% of adolescents whose parents did not smoke had never tried
smoking, whereas over 50% of those with parents that smoke did
C- Conclusion- if the parents did not smoke, then their children were less
likely to smoke

Supporting Points Research: Aim and Conclusion

Holistic points/Critical 2 points minimum for each

Thinking Study 1:Animal model was used , reducing the validity of the results .

Study 2:The study is correlational , the cause and effect relationship

cannot be determined .
Supports the thesis statement by demonstrating the behaviour patterns
between parents and their children .

CT point for Concept/topic of the essay: Sociocultural aspects of life ,

especially childhood experiences facilitate in the likelihood of addiction ,
specifically drug related habits .

Question 4. Discuss prevalence rates of one health problem.

Define Key vocabulary /
description of theory

Thesis Statement and

Counter Argument
Research
Key Studies

Research 1:

Topic sentence/key point

Aim-
Method- (sample, task, IV/DV)

Results - Numerical data and result statements

C- Conclusion

Research 2:
Topic sentence/key point:

Aim-

Method- (sample, task, IV/DV)

Results - Numerical data and result statements

C- Conclusion

Supporting Points Research: Aim and Conclusion

Holistic points/Critical 2 points minimum for each

Thinking Study 1:

Study 2:

CT point for Concept/topic of the essay:

Question 5. Discuss one or more research methods used in the study of health problems.

Define Key vocabulary / Addiction - The term addiction suggests that the individual cannot
description of theory control their behaviour . Other responses always include a compulsion
to use the substance continuously in order to avoid discomfort in its
absence .

Cross sectional longitudinal method - involves the sample size being

observed and the outcomes are often predicted .

Thesis Statement and is ineffective in measuring addiction .

Counter Argument Counter Argument - Provides a lot of information that could be used in
further addiction research .
Research
Key Studies

Research 1:Marmot

Topic sentence/key point

Aim-find out whether employees in the lower position jobs - that is, with
less control over their work environment - would develop heart problems
over a five year period.
Method- (sample, task, IV/DV)
Sample - 7000 British civil servants.men and women, aged 35 - 55,
Task - a series of questionnaires

Results - Numerical data and result statements-The data showed a

correlation between heart disease and one's control in the workplace.
The rate of heart problems in the lowest levels of the system were 1.5
times the rate in the highest levels.risk factors such as smoking, obesity
and hypertension could account for some of the differences, but the
most significant factor was the degree of control that participants felt
they had.
Lack of control had a significant effect when matched for other risk
factors.
 C- Conclusion-

Research 2: Roseman
Topic sentence/key point:

Aim-Test whether there are any health risks correlated with Type A
personality

Method- (sample, task, IV/DV)-

Sample - 3,154 employed men aged 39 to 59 years
Task - looking at the incidence of coronary heart disease over a period
of 8.5 years

Results - Numerical data and result statements-70% of the men who

developed coronary heart disease had Type A personalities.
C- Conclusion-When participants were matched for smoking, exercise,
cholesterol levels and systolic blood pressure, type A were nearly twice
as likely to develop heart disease as Type B people.

Supporting Points Research: Aim and Conclusion

Holistic points/Critical 2 points minimum for each

Thinking Study 1:Cause and effect relationship established .
Confounding variables present

Study 2:Only men included in the sample size , thus reducing the results
generalizability .
The construct of Type A and Type B personalities is not valid .

CT point for Concept/topic of the essay: A lot of data was collected via
this research method . Thus it is useful as even if results are not
significant , the study benefits the field of health psychology .

Question 6. Discuss ethical considerations in the study of health problems.

Define Key vocabulary / Ethical considerations - Present to ensure protection of humanity and
description of theory avoid illegal treatment with participants . (all basic ethical considerations
listed )

Thesis Statement and Health related studies involving human participants often show a risk of
Counter Argument violation of the basic ethical considerations .

Research
Key Studies

Research 1: Newcomer.et.al

Topic sentence/key point

Aim-investigate whether high levels of the stress hormone cortisol

interfere with verbal declarative memory.
Method- (sample, task, IV/DV)
Sample - students at the Washington University Medical Center
Task - double blind laboratory experiment. 3 conditions: High level of
cortisol , low level of cortisol , placebo group . All participants were asked
to listen to and recall a prose paragraph. Tested 3 times .
IV-Reaction to cortisol
DV- Intake of cortisol

Results - Numerical data and result statements-high cortisol levels

impaired performance in the memory task since the participants who
received the highest level of cortisol also showed the worst performance
in verbal declarative memory.

C- Conclusion- high levels of cortisol interfered with the recall of the

prose passage

Research 2: Speismn et.al

Topic sentence/key point:

Aim-test the role of cognitive appraisal on the stress response.

Method- (sample, task, IV/DV)

Sample - 56 undergraduate psychology students and 42 middle-level
airline executives.
 Task - Participants divided into 3 conditions ; The trauma condition, The
intellectualization condition, The denial condition. Along with a control
group .
IV - heart rate and galvanic skin responses.
DV- The content shown or heard by participants in each different
condition .

Results - Numerical data and result statements-trauma condition showed

much higher physiological measures of stress than the participants in the
other two conditions.
C- Conclusion- we gather information from our environment to determine
how we react to a situation.

Supporting Points Research: Aim and Conclusion

Holistic points/Critical 2 points minimum for each

Thinking Study 1:The participants were not clearly specified how much intake of
cortisol they would have to consume .

Study 2:The content caused distress to the participants

CT point for Concept/topic of the essay: While dealing with sensitive

research topics like researching stress origin and stress responses ,
ethical considerations have to be taken more carefully to avoid any
problems