Alcohol addiction & DRD2 gene AO3

• PARAGRAPH 1

  AO1

  - alcohol + dopamine transmission

  - DRD2 gene + A1 variant

  AO3 (+)

  - Connor: clinical interview + alcohol dependence scale questionnaire from an alcohol detoxification unit

  - individuals with A1 variant consumed more alcohol + more alcohol related problems

  AO3 (-)

  - Mundt: adults friendship selection was influenced by similarity in alcohol consumption

  - peers have an important role in alcohol addiction
• PARAGRAPH 2

  AO1

  - reward deficiency (25% have A1 variant)

  AO3 (+)

  - specific gene using blood tests

  - objective: statistically analysed

  - increases credibility

  AO3 (-)

  - isolates a specific variant gene

  - ignores social factors (parties)

  Development point

  - reductionist = easier to study causes for alcoholism in scientific ways
• PARAGRAPH 3


  AO1

  - prolonged use/tolerance/addiction

  AO3 (+)

  ???

  AO3 (-)

  - fails to acknowledge interaction between nature and nurture

  Development point

  - diathesis-stress model better explains addiction = inherent predisposition and experience of stress
• CONCLUSION


  AO3(+)

  - development of treatments

  - dopamine receptor agonists reduce alcohol intake

  AO3 (-)

  - imitate behaviours from role models rather than genes