evaluation

• explanation is weakened by methodological issues.
• methodological issues - example

  Nutt et al. (2015) is critical of the methodology used in this area of research.

  the samples in the studies are often small, and when ppts are given a substance to measure its effects, they are often given it in a different form (e.g. nicotine inhalators instead of cigarettes) and in a laboratory rather than the usual social environments.
• methodological issues - link

  this has an impact on the ecological validity of the findings, making them less useful.

  it weakens the credibility of this explanation, but just because the methods used are inaccurate, does not mean the underlying explanation is too.
• explanation has led to real life applications for preventing addiction.
• application - example

  Varenicline is a drug prescribed to help those who are trying to quit smoking, and it works by affecting dopamine release in the brain.

  the drug reduces the rewarding effects of nicotine by blocking the ability of nicotine to access the receptors and activate dopamine release.
• application - link

  the fact that Varenicline has proved successful in modifying addiction strengthens the dopamine explanation.

  if an explanation has led to real life applications, that proves that the underlying principle of the explanation is correct.

  however, it appears to be most effective when used alongside other methods - suggesting that dopamine alone cannot explain addiction.
• dopamine alone is not a sufficient explanation of all addiction.
• not sufficient -example

  it is unclear how well this theory can explain behavioural addiction such as internet gaming or exercise.

  the majority of research in this area has focused on substance abuse, with gambling being the only behaviour with a reasonable body of research behind it.
• not sufficient - explain

  it doesn't explain what caused the addictive behaviour in the first place.

  dopamine can provide a good explanation as to why addiction is maintained, through the effects of withdrawal and tolerance.

  however, it doesn't really explain what caused the person to engage in the addictive behaviour in the first place (initiation.)
• not sufficient - link

  whilst this explanation is well supported by research, and has led to real life applications, it is limited as it cannot account for all types of addictions, nor explain why they are initiated.