Alcohol addiction learning explanations

positive reinfrocement

Behaviour is followed by a pleasant experience, the consequence soul be literal (food or money) or abstract (a smile or compliment)

Negative reinforcement

Behaviour is followed by the removal of an unpleasant experience. E.g. removing pain encourages you to repeat this action to remove pain

Reinforcement

Increase in the behaviour

What happens if you have a role model who smokes

May be more chance you will start smoking. You observe their behaviour, model yourself on them and imitate the same actions when you have the chance

What can positive reinforcement either be

Direct or indirect

Example of positive reinforcement

Consequence of underage drinking could be receiving praise from peers, as well as the pleasurable dopamine reception - encouraging a repeat of this behaviour

What would be the indirect reinforcement

The effects of alcohol - being sociable, confident and friendly -and these second-hand effects can promote this behaviour

Initiation

the act of beginning

When can initiation begin with negative reinforcement

For some people to avoid a consequence

Why do some people take up drinking alcohol

To escape stressful lives -people learn from movies and media that this is a way to unwind. This is a strong motivator for starting drinking in young people

Maintenance-positive reinforcement

Drinking alcohol can provide ongoing rewards, encouraging drinking to be repeated - and maintained

What is motivational toxicity

The rewards of drinking outweigh previously rewarding activities (relationships, sex, hobbies). Drinking has become the only source of reward

Maintenance - Negative Reinforcement

Drinking is maintained to avoid withdrawal symptoms (heart palpitations and anxiety). These symptoms are avoided by drinking again. Even fear of withdrawal symptoms/mega hangover can trigger drinking again

What is the dark side of addiction

Alcohol seems to be able to make life a chaotic mess and provide a solution at the same time. Giving up is one of the hardest things to do and is focused on negative reinforcement.

Relapse - Negative Reinforcement

The relief of having another drink can cause an alcoholic to relapse. Even after relieving withdrawal, alcohol can still be an escape from reality. This can make problems in life (which are causing the desire to escape) worse -and gives more reason to escape life stress

Who though of 'the dark side of addiction

Koob (2009)

Strength of negative reinforcement being an explanation of relapse

Koop (2009) states that drinking to alleviate withdrawal symptoms is controlled by the amygdala. These amygdala is hyperactive during withdrawal and can easily trigger the HPA stress pathway. Therefore drinking as negative reinforcement has a biological reality in the brain.

Strength of the learning explanation of alcohol addiction

It has practical applications. By understanding that alcoholism could be learn means several options of treatment are available to people suffering from this disorder. Negative reinforcement can be counteracted by using negative experiences with alcohol forcing sufferers to confront their consequences head on. This shows that by understanding the processes involved in forming alcohol addictions we can apply this to treatments successfully

Weakness of dopamine and alcohol addiction

Dopamine doesn't play a critical role in the addiction of alcohol. Mitchell et al (2012) found that alcohol consumption in humans has a greater relationship with endorphins rather than dopamine as these are released at the same time

Weakness about this explanation for alcohol addiction

Not a complete explanation for alcohol addiction. This is because operant conditioning cant explain the transition from use to abuse. Many people enjoy alcohol and aren't dependant - so this theory is inconclusive. There maybe more influential factors, such as genes that are involved in addiction formation and maintenance