Q8

• Q8) Evaluate 2 biological explanations of addictive behaviour (10)

  
• Dopamine theory


  One biological explanation of addictive behaviour
• Dopamine theory


  • Supported by genetic analysis showing genes regulating dopamine, serotonin and noradrenaline are implicated in pathological gambling
  • Increased levels of dopamine and noradrenaline activity found in gamblers
• Increased dopamine levels


  Not only linked with pleasurable experiences, also associated with PTSD
• Methodological issues with dopamine theory research include small sample sizes and artificial settings
• Genetic explanation


  Second biological explanation of addictive behaviour
• Genetic explanation


  • Supported by twin studies showing higher concordance rates for cocaine addiction in monozygotic vs dizygotic twins
  • Range of different genes implicated in different addictions
• Biological explanations of addiction are reductionist and deterministic
• Biological explanations of addiction ignore other potential contributory factors like social factors
• Biological explanations reduce the responsibility placed on the addict themselves
• Diathesis-stress model


  Suggests a disorder like addiction only develops when a biological factor is triggered by an environmental stressor
• To understand addiction, individualistic, social and cognitive explanations must be considered in addition to biological factors