Learning theory

• Operant conditioning - positive reinforcement

  -If the consequence of a behaviour is rewarding then that behaviour is more likely to occur again.

  -Nicotine is a powerful reinforcer because of the effects it has on the mesolimbic pathway.
• Operant conditioning - negative reinforcement

  -A smokers continuing dependency on nicotine is explained by negative reinforcement.

  -Abstaining from smoking leads to withdrawal syndrome which has unpleasant symptoms like agitation, sleep disturbance and depression.

  -These withdrawal symptoms make it hard for an addict to abstain for long so smoker continues to smoke to remove the unpleasant effects.
• Classical conditioning and cue reactivity

  -The pleasurable effects of smoking are known as primary reinforcers. This is because it is intrinsically rewarding because of the effects it has on the brains system. So individual is more likely to smoke again.

  -Any other stimuli which occur at the same time are now associated with this pleasurable effect. These stimuli are called secondary reinforcers. e.g. lighters, smell of smoke and cigarette packet.

  -These stimuli acts as cues because their presence produces the similar psychological and physiological response as the nicotine.
• Evaluation - real world application

  -many nicotine treatment programmes have been based on principles of classical conditioning.

  -E.g. aversion therapy and counterconditioning ain to treat nicotine addiction by associating the pleasant effects of smoking with aversive stimuli like a painful shock.

  -Many studies have shown these treatments to be effective and therefore save NHS resources and improve resources.
• Gender differences

  -research into smoking cessation (ending) found that females are generally more susceptible to failure and relapse than males. Also, counterconditioning methods are less effective for women.

  -Carpenter et al suggested that females are more susceptible and react more strongly to smoking related cues which increases likelihood of relapse following a period of abstinence. A theory suggests that females have lower self-efficacy than males so undermines their ability to quit smoking.
• Learning theory cant explain the phenomenon of 'chippers'

  -Chippers can start and stop smoking whenever they like and don't display dependency or withdrawal syndrome.

  -This is something that learning theory can't explain.