LEARNING MODELS OF ADDICTION
OPERANT CONDITIONING MODEL OF ADDICTION
AO1-
INITIATION
Addiction occurs through positive reinforcement – if the addictive activity produces a
consequence that the individual finds rewarding, they are likely to repeat the behaviour.
All positive reinforcers have the same effect – they release dopamine in the reward system.
Addictive drugs can have this effect.
MAINTENANCE + RELAPSE
Withdrawal from an addiction (especially drugs) causes unpleasant feelings/withdrawal
symptoms (a negative situation).
Addicts want to avoid this negative feeling + so avoid it by engaging in the addiction more
(relapse).
Relapse is the process of negative reinforcement.
AO2 –
RESEARCH – Griffiths (2009)
POINT – supports the operant conditioning model of addiction.
EVIDENCE – found that gamblers playing slot machines may become addicted because of
the physiological rewards (e.g. the adrenaline rush from winning that releases dopamine
into their reward system).
EXPLAIN – supports because it shows how addiction can be formed through operant
conditioning – the positive reinforcement (release of dopamine) of the addictive activity
causes the individual to repeat the behaviour + thus an addiction develops.
EVALUATE – weakness – limited sample – only used 30 regular gamblers + 30 non- regular
gamblers – study may lack population validity – may decrease generalisability of findings
beyond the study – weakens research support.
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LEARNING MODELS OF ADDICTION
APPROACH – behavioural
STATE – takes the behavioural approach to psychology.
EXPLAIN – this approach explains behaviour as being learnt through consequences. Good
consequences act as positive reinforcement so mean the behaviour is more likely to be
repeated. Whereas, bad consequences act as negative reinforcement so mean the
behaviour is less likely to be repeated.
RELATE – takes this approach because it explains addiction as being the result of the
positive reinforcement that individuals receive from the addictive activity (i.e. the
dopamine that is released in their reward system) that motivates them to repeat the
OPERANT CONDITIONING MODEL OF ADDICTION
AO1-
INITIATION
Addiction occurs through positive reinforcement – if the addictive activity produces a
consequence that the individual finds rewarding, they are likely to repeat the behaviour.
All positive reinforcers have the same effect – they release dopamine in the reward system.
Addictive drugs can have this effect.
MAINTENANCE + RELAPSE
Withdrawal from an addiction (especially drugs) causes unpleasant feelings/withdrawal
symptoms (a negative situation).
Addicts want to avoid this negative feeling + so avoid it by engaging in the addiction more
(relapse).
Relapse is the process of negative reinforcement.
AO2 –
RESEARCH – Griffiths (2009)
POINT – supports the operant conditioning model of addiction.
EVIDENCE – found that gamblers playing slot machines may become addicted because of
the physiological rewards (e.g. the adrenaline rush from winning that releases dopamine
into their reward system).
EXPLAIN – supports because it shows how addiction can be formed through operant
conditioning – the positive reinforcement (release of dopamine) of the addictive activity
causes the individual to repeat the behaviour + thus an addiction develops.
EVALUATE – weakness – limited sample – only used 30 regular gamblers + 30 non- regular
gamblers – study may lack population validity – may decrease generalisability of findings
beyond the study – weakens research support.
↓
↓
LEARNING MODELS OF ADDICTION
APPROACH – behavioural
STATE – takes the behavioural approach to psychology.
EXPLAIN – this approach explains behaviour as being learnt through consequences. Good
consequences act as positive reinforcement so mean the behaviour is more likely to be
repeated. Whereas, bad consequences act as negative reinforcement so mean the
behaviour is less likely to be repeated.
RELATE – takes this approach because it explains addiction as being the result of the
positive reinforcement that individuals receive from the addictive activity (i.e. the
dopamine that is released in their reward system) that motivates them to repeat the
