AQA A-level Psychology · 4.3.10

Addiction

50 exam-style questions with answers for 4.3.10 Addiction in AQA A-level Psychology (spec 7182). Practise with flashcards, a topic quiz, a random quiz across the course, 5 crosswords, or read every question and answer below. Not official AQA material.

All 50 questions and answers

Question 1 · Spec 4.3.10 · Describing addiction
Define physical dependence. [2 marks]
Answer:
The body needs the substance to function normally (1); if the person stops taking it, they experience withdrawal symptoms (1).
Question 2 · Spec 4.3.10 · Describing addiction
Define psychological dependence. [2 marks]
Answer:
A compulsion to take a substance or perform a behaviour because of its psychological effects, e.g. pleasure or relief (1); the person experiences cravings, but no physical withdrawal symptoms (1).
Question 3 · Spec 4.3.10 · Describing addiction
What is tolerance? [2 marks]
Answer:
Repeated use of a drug reduces its effect over time (1); so the person needs larger doses to get the same effect (1).
Question 4 · Spec 4.3.10 · Describing addiction
What is withdrawal syndrome? [2 marks]
Answer:
The physical and psychological symptoms that occur when a person stops taking a substance they are dependent on (1); e.g. anxiety, irritability, insomnia and cravings (1).
Question 5 · Spec 4.3.10 · Describing addiction
Explain the difference between physical and psychological dependence. [2 marks]
Answer:
Physical dependence involves bodily changes, so stopping causes physical withdrawal symptoms, e.g. shaking (1); psychological dependence involves cravings and compulsion, without physical symptoms (1).
Question 6 · Spec 4.3.10 · Risk factors
Outline genetic vulnerability as a risk factor for addiction. [3 marks]
Answer:
Some people are more likely to become addicted because of their genes (1); e.g. genes affecting dopamine receptors, such as the DRD2 gene, may reduce the pleasure gained from everyday activities (1); Vink et al. (2005) found 75% of individual differences in smoking initiation and 60% in nicotine addiction were due to genetic factors (1).
Question 7 · Spec 4.3.10 · Risk factors
Outline stress as a risk factor for addiction. [3 marks]
Answer:
People may use substances or behaviours to cope with stress (self-medication) (1); traumatic stress in childhood is linked to later addiction (1); Driessen et al. (2008) found 30% of drug-addicted and 15% of alcohol-addicted patients also had PTSD (1).
Question 8 · Spec 4.3.10 · Risk factors
Outline personality as a risk factor for addiction. [2 marks]
Answer:
Eysenck suggested people high in psychoticism are more likely to develop addictions (1); and sensation seeking, impulsivity and neuroticism are also linked to addiction (1).
Question 9 · Spec 4.3.10 · Risk factors
Outline family influences as a risk factor for addiction. [2 marks]
Answer:
Children observe and imitate parents' addictive behaviour, e.g. smoking or drinking (1); and parental attitudes and lack of supervision are linked to later addiction (1).
Question 10 · Spec 4.3.10 · Risk factors
Outline peers as a risk factor for addiction. [2 marks]
Answer:
Adolescents are influenced by friends' behaviour through social learning and peer pressure (1); social identity theory suggests people adopt the norms of their group, e.g. smoking (1).
Question 11 · Spec 4.3.10 · Risk factors
Explain one limitation of research into risk factors for addiction. [2 marks]
Answer:
Risk factors interact with each other, e.g. genes and stress, so it is hard to study one in isolation (1); and much research is correlational, so cause and effect cannot be established (1).
Question 12 · Spec 4.3.10 · Risk factors
Explain one strength of research into peer influences on addiction. [2 marks]
Answer:
Research shows adolescents whose friends smoke are much more likely to start smoking (1); this has led to interventions, e.g. peer-led prevention programmes in schools (1).
Question 13 · Spec 4.3.10 · Nicotine addiction
Outline the brain neurochemistry explanation of nicotine addiction. [4 marks]
Answer:
Nicotine binds to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) (1); this triggers the release of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens, producing pleasure (1); the desensitisation hypothesis: repeated use leads to tolerance, so more nicotine is needed (1); when the person stops, withdrawal symptoms occur, so they continue smoking to avoid them (1).
Question 14 · Spec 4.3.10 · Nicotine addiction
Explain one strength of the neurochemistry explanation of nicotine addiction. [2 marks]
Answer:
Nicotine replacement therapy, e.g. patches, reduces withdrawal by providing nicotine without smoking (1); its effectiveness supports the role of nicotine in the brain (1).
Question 15 · Spec 4.3.10 · Nicotine addiction
Explain one limitation of the neurochemistry explanation of nicotine addiction. [2 marks]
Answer:
It cannot explain why many smokers relapse long after withdrawal symptoms have ended (1); this suggests learning factors, e.g. cue reactivity, also play a role (1).
Question 16 · Spec 4.3.10 · Learning theory
Explain how learning theory explains the initiation and maintenance of smoking. [3 marks]
Answer:
Positive reinforcement: smoking produces pleasure, e.g. relaxation, which encourages repetition (1); social learning: people imitate smokers, e.g. parents and peers (1); negative reinforcement: smoking relieves withdrawal symptoms, maintaining the behaviour (1).
Question 17 · Spec 4.3.10 · Cue reactivity
Explain cue reactivity in nicotine addiction. [3 marks]
Answer:
Through classical conditioning, cues associated with smoking, e.g. a lighter or a certain place, become conditioned stimuli (1); these cues produce cravings and arousal (1); so they can trigger smoking and relapse even after withdrawal symptoms have ended (1).
Question 18 · Spec 4.3.10 · Cue reactivity
Outline one study supporting cue reactivity in smoking. [2 marks]
Answer:
Carter and Tiffany (1999) carried out a meta-analysis of cue reactivity studies (1); they found smokers showed increased craving and physiological arousal when exposed to smoking-related cues (1).
Question 19 · Spec 4.3.10 · Learning theory
Explain one limitation of learning theory as an explanation of nicotine addiction. [2 marks]
Answer:
It cannot explain why some people who are exposed to smoking do not become addicted (1); so individual differences, e.g. genes, must also be involved (1).
Question 20 · Spec 4.3.10 · Gambling addiction
Explain how learning theory explains gambling addiction. [3 marks]
Answer:
Positive reinforcement: winning money or the excitement of the 'buzz' rewards gambling (1); partial reinforcement: not every bet is rewarded, but enough are to maintain gambling (1); variable reinforcement: rewards are unpredictable, which makes gambling resistant to extinction (1).
Question 21 · Spec 4.3.10 · Gambling addiction
Explain why variable reinforcement makes gambling addictive. [2 marks]
Answer:
The gambler does not know when the next reward will come, so they keep gambling in case the next bet wins (1); behaviour learned on a variable ratio schedule is highly resistant to extinction (1).
Question 22 · Spec 4.3.10 · Gambling addiction
Explain one limitation of learning theory as an explanation of gambling addiction. [2 marks]
Answer:
It cannot explain why only a small minority of people who gamble become addicted (1); and it cannot fully explain different types of gambling, e.g. slow forms such as betting on horses (1).
Question 23 · Spec 4.3.10 · Cognitive theory
Explain how cognitive bias can explain gambling addiction. [3 marks]
Answer:
Gamblers have irrational beliefs about their chances of winning (1); e.g. the illusion of control: believing they can influence outcomes, e.g. by choosing numbers (1); and the gambler's fallacy: believing a win is 'due' after a series of losses (1).
Question 24 · Spec 4.3.10 · Cognitive theory
Outline Griffiths' (1994) study of cognitive bias in gambling. [3 marks]
Answer:
Regular and non-regular gamblers played a fruit machine while thinking aloud (1); regular gamblers made more irrational verbalisations, e.g. personifying the machine (1); they also believed they were more skilful than they were (1).
Question 25 · Spec 4.3.10 · Cognitive theory
Explain one limitation of the cognitive explanation of gambling addiction. [2 marks]
Answer:
It cannot explain why some people develop cognitive biases and others do not (1); and it may only explain some types of gambling, as biases vary between gamblers (1).
Question 26 · Spec 4.3.10 · Cognitive theory
Explain one strength of the cognitive explanation of gambling addiction. [2 marks]
Answer:
It has led to effective treatments, e.g. CBT that challenges irrational beliefs about gambling (1); and Michalczuk et al. (2011) found gamblers showed greater cognitive biases than non-gamblers (1).
Question 27 · Spec 4.3.10 · Drug therapy
Outline drug therapy for nicotine addiction. [3 marks]
Answer:
Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), e.g. patches and gum, provides nicotine without other harmful substances in cigarettes (1); this reduces withdrawal symptoms (1); varenicline is an agonist that binds to nicotinic receptors, reducing cravings and the pleasure of smoking (1).
Question 28 · Spec 4.3.10 · Drug therapy
Outline drug therapy for gambling addiction. [2 marks]
Answer:
Opioid antagonists, e.g. naltrexone, reduce the pleasure gained from gambling (1); by blocking the release of dopamine in the reward pathway, so cravings are reduced (1).
Question 29 · Spec 4.3.10 · Drug therapy
Explain one limitation of drug therapy for addiction. [2 marks]
Answer:
Drugs have side effects, e.g. nausea, which may lead people to stop treatment (1); and they do not address the psychological causes of addiction, so relapse is likely (1).
Question 30 · Spec 4.3.10 · Aversion therapy
Outline aversion therapy for addiction. [3 marks]
Answer:
Based on classical conditioning, the addictive behaviour is paired with an unpleasant stimulus (1); e.g. Antabuse is taken by alcoholics and causes vomiting when they drink alcohol (1); the person learns to associate the addictive behaviour with the unpleasant response, so avoids it (1).
Question 31 · Spec 4.3.10 · Covert sensitisation
Outline covert sensitisation for addiction. [3 marks]
Answer:
A form of aversion therapy in which the unpleasant stimulus is imagined rather than real (1); the patient is relaxed and asked to imagine the addictive behaviour, e.g. smoking (1); this is paired with an imagined unpleasant consequence, e.g. vomiting (1).
Question 32 · Spec 4.3.10 · Behavioural interventions
Explain one strength of covert sensitisation compared with aversion therapy. [2 marks]
Answer:
It does not involve real unpleasant stimuli, so it is more ethical (1); and it is less likely to cause patients to drop out (1).
Question 33 · Spec 4.3.10 · Behavioural interventions
Explain one limitation of behavioural interventions for addiction. [2 marks]
Answer:
They may not work in the long term, as the conditioned response may become extinct (1); and they do not address the underlying causes of addiction (1).
Question 34 · Spec 4.3.10 · CBT
Outline CBT for addiction. [3 marks]
Answer:
Functional analysis: the therapist and client identify thoughts and situations that trigger the addictive behaviour (1); cognitive restructuring: the client is helped to challenge irrational beliefs, e.g. the illusion of control in gambling (1); behavioural techniques, e.g. skills training to cope with triggers and avoid relapse (1).
Question 35 · Spec 4.3.10 · CBT
Explain one strength of CBT for addiction. [2 marks]
Answer:
Petry et al. (2006) found gamblers who received CBT showed a greater reduction in gambling than a control group (1); and CBT gives skills that can be used long-term, reducing relapse (1).
Question 36 · Spec 4.3.10 · CBT
Explain one limitation of CBT for addiction. [2 marks]
Answer:
It requires motivation and commitment from the client (1); and it may not be effective for everyone, e.g. those with severe addictions (1).
Question 37 · Spec 4.3.10 · Theory of planned behaviour
Outline the theory of planned behaviour as applied to addiction. [4 marks]
Answer:
Ajzen (1989) proposed the intention to perform a behaviour predicts behaviour (1); intention is influenced by personal attitudes towards the behaviour (1); subjective norms: beliefs about what others think about the behaviour (1); perceived behavioural control: belief in one's ability to change the behaviour (1).
Question 38 · Spec 4.3.10 · Theory of planned behaviour
Explain how the theory of planned behaviour can be applied to reducing addiction. [2 marks]
Answer:
Interventions can target attitudes, e.g. showing the negative effects of smoking (1); and subjective norms, e.g. showing that most people disapprove of smoking (1).
Question 39 · Spec 4.3.10 · Theory of planned behaviour
Explain one limitation of the theory of planned behaviour. [2 marks]
Answer:
It assumes behaviour is rational, but addiction is often impulsive (1); and the intention-behaviour gap: people may intend to stop but fail to do so (1).
Question 40 · Spec 4.3.10 · Prochaska's model
Outline Prochaska's six-stage model of behaviour change. [4 marks]
Answer:
Pre-contemplation: no intention to change (1); contemplation: considering change in the next six months, and preparation: intending to change soon and making plans (1); action: making changes to behaviour (1); maintenance: sustaining change, and termination: the person is confident they will not relapse (1).
Question 41 · Spec 4.3.10 · Prochaska's model
Explain how Prochaska's model can be used to reduce addiction. [2 marks]
Answer:
Interventions can be matched to the person's stage of change (1); e.g. in pre-contemplation, information about the risks may help them consider change (1).
Question 42 · Spec 4.3.10 · Prochaska's model
Explain one strength of Prochaska's model. [2 marks]
Answer:
It recognises that relapse is a normal part of change (1); and it allows interventions to be tailored to the person, which may be more effective (1).
Question 43 · Spec 4.3.10 · Prochaska's model
Explain one limitation of Prochaska's model. [2 marks]
Answer:
The stages are arbitrary, and people may not move through them in order (1); and Velasquez et al. (2000) found stage-matched interventions were not always more effective (1).
Question 44 · Spec 4.3.10 · Prochaska's model
Identify the stage of change in each case: (a) Jo has just stopped smoking; (b) Sam has no plans to stop gambling; (c) Ali has bought nicotine patches to start next week. [3 marks]
Answer:
(a) action (1); (b) pre-contemplation (1); (c) preparation (1).
Question 45 · Spec 4.3.10 · Risk factors
Explain why addiction may best be explained by the diathesis-stress model. [2 marks]
Answer:
A genetic vulnerability, e.g. DRD2, may make addiction more likely (1); but environmental triggers, e.g. stress or peer pressure, are needed for addiction to develop (1).
Question 46 · Spec 4.3.10 · Nicotine addiction
Explain why nicotine is highly addictive. [2 marks]
Answer:
It produces a rapid release of dopamine in the brain's reward pathway (1); and tolerance develops quickly, so more is needed to avoid withdrawal (1).
Question 47 · Spec 4.3.10 · Gambling addiction
Explain how the 'near miss' effect may maintain gambling. [2 marks]
Answer:
Near misses, e.g. two matching symbols out of three, are perceived as almost winning (1); this encourages further gambling, as the gambler believes a win is close (1).
Question 48 · Spec 4.3.10 · Reducing addiction
A man wants to stop drinking. His doctor prescribes Antabuse. Identify this treatment and explain how it works. [3 marks]
Answer:
Aversion therapy (1); Antabuse causes vomiting when the man drinks alcohol (1); so he learns to associate alcohol with an unpleasant response, which reduces drinking (1).
Question 49 · Spec 4.3.10 · Reducing addiction
Explain why CBT might be more effective than drug therapy for gambling addiction. [2 marks]
Answer:
CBT addresses the cognitive biases that maintain gambling (1); whereas drug therapy only reduces cravings, so relapse is more likely when treatment stops (1).
Question 50 · Spec 4.3.10 · Risk factors
Explain how stress and addiction can form a vicious circle. [2 marks]
Answer:
People may use a substance or behaviour to relieve stress, which negatively reinforces the addiction (1); but the addiction itself causes further stress, e.g. money or health problems, which maintains it (1).

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