Becker (1953)

Article Title: Becoming a Marihuana User
Author: Howard S. Becker
Published In: The American Journal of Sociology, Vol. 59, No. 3 (Nov., 1953), pp. 235-242
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press
Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2771989
Accessed On: 27/02/2011 13:46

Key Proposition:
  - For an individual to use marihuana for pleasure, they must:
    1. Learn to smoke in a way that produces real effects.
    2. Recognize the effects and connect them with drug use.
    3. Enjoy the sensations perceived.
Methodology:
- Based on analysis of fifty interviews with marihuana users.
Theory Challenged:
- Questions theories attributing behavior to predispositions; instead, posits that behavior can be explained through the emergence of motives and dispositions during experiences.

Context:
- The use of marihuana has garnered significant attention from both scientists and laymen.
- Prior studies predominantly focused on identifying psychological traits that differentiate users from nonusers, assuming traits drive the behavior.
Alternative Perspective:
- This study starts with the premise that behavior results from a sequence of social experiences.
- Individuals acquire notions about the meaning of the behavior and their perceptions through interaction, rather than engaging based on inherent traits.

Goal:
  - To outline the sequence of changes in attitude and experience that lead to the use of marihuana for pleasure.
  - Address the atypical behavior patterns for individuals who do not fit predispositional theories.
  - Aim to document the sequence of changes observed in users across diverse social backgrounds.

Characteristics of Use:
  - Marihuana is not associated with addiction like alcohol or opiates.
  - No withdrawal sickness and no permanent craving for the drug.
  - Most common pattern of use is recreational, characterized as noncompulsive and casual.
Distinction of Users:
- Excludes cases where marihuana is used solely for social prestige without the derivation of pleasure.

Data Source:
- Fifty interviews with marihuana users varying in social status were analyzed.
Focus:
- Historical accounts of experiences with marihuana, including changes in attitudes and reasons for these changes.
Generalization Created:
- Generalization states the sequence of changes in attitude that precedeable to systematic pleasure-derived use of marihuana, to guide future hypothesis testing.

Starting Point:
- The individual is aware others use marihuana to achieve a 'high', but lacks understanding of what that entails.
- Experiences curiosity, ignorance, and fear regarding the potential experience.

First Attempts:
  - Novices may not achieve a 'high' on initial attempts due to improper smoking techniques.
  - Proper technique includes proper inhalation methods:
    - Ingesting enough air along with the smoke, holding it in to gain effects.
  - Without mastering these techniques, novices perceive the activity as meaningless and do not continue use.

Role of Groups:
- Participation in groups where marihuana is used facilitates learning of proper smoking techniques both directly and indirectly through observation.
- Avoiding the admission of ignorance often leads novices to learn by imitation while masking their inexperience.

Getting High:
  - It's essential for users to recognize the effects caused by marihuana and consciously associate these effects with their use.
  - Symptoms alone do not equate to being 'high'; the user must acknowledge and link their sensations to the drug.
  - Failure to do so may lead to the belief that the drug has no effect, discouraging continuation of use.

Attending to Symptoms:
- Users often rely on advice from experienced users during the early stages of use to understand the effects.
- Descriptions provided by others can aid in the recognition of symptoms such as hunger or altered time perception, bridging the gap for a novice to identify what being high entails.

Cognitive Shift Required:
- Users must learn to interpret the sensations derived from marihuana as pleasurable.
- Initially, effects may be interpreted as unpleasant or overwhelming, leading to fear and aversion.
Social Reassurance:
- Experienced users help novices redefine their experiences through reassurance and shared anecdotes, prompting a shift toward enjoyment rather than fear.

Final Stages of Engagement:
- An individual must (1) learn to smoke properly, (2) recognize and connect the effects with drug use, and (3) redefine sensations as enjoyable to utilize marihuana for pleasure.
Conceptualization of Pleasure:
- Through a series of interactions and experiences, the user develops a disposition to enjoy marihuana, which was not inherent prior to their experience.

Understanding Marihuana Use:
- Behavior regarding marihuana use emerges from a developmental process of learning and social interaction rather than predetermined traits.
- The ability to enjoy marihuana remains contingent on continuous positive conceptualization of the drug, influenced by social contexts and individual experiences.
Comparison to Other Theories:
- The study advocates for a more nuanced understanding of behavior development grounded in personal experiences rather than static predispositional theories.

Broader Social Context:
- Marihuana use is significantly contested within societal and moral norms, complicating the user's relationship with the drug during their journey.
- Understanding these communal aspects is crucial for comprehending the justification and pleasure derived from drug use in contrary contexts.