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The Psychology of Addiction

Module description

A diverse range of psychological theories have been proposed to explain addictive behaviour. Whereas clinical psychologists highlight the importance of psychiatric comorbidity, developmental psychologists focus on early risk factors in childhood and adolescence, human cognitive psychologists advocate biases in selective processing, behavioural economists favour notions of rational choice and reward value, neuropharmacologists focus on cognitive impairment, hypofrontality and compulsivity, and animal learning theorists emphasise the role of Pavlovian and instrumental learning. Each theoretical model of addiction has unique implications for the best intervention strategy that should be adopted to reduce drug use. Moreover, the optimal intervention strategy depends on the specific population under consideration. It is likely that different intervention approaches should be developed for diverse groups such as pregnant smokers, middle class alcoholics, heroin addicted prisoners/homeless, high risk adolescents, etc. Each session will deal with a single issue in addictive behaviour. We will start by considering the core theoretical mechanisms that are thought to drive addiction, and then cover some of the key intervention strategies that have been evaluated to reduce/prevent drug use. In the end, you should have a firm idea of the potential causes of addiction, and what the best strategies are to intervene.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The objective of the module is for you to arrive at an understanding of what causes addiction, and what the best approach is to counteract it, from amongst the multitude of possibilities. There is sufficient flexibility built into the module such that you can select the material that you wish to focus on to develop your favoured specialisation, for example, clinical, educational, legal, experimental etc. The module covers basic science and clinical science in roughly equal proportion. The module convenor’s research programme focuses on individual differences in vulnerability to dependence, and this topic is covered in some detail the module.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Articulate theories of addiction
• 2. Confidently and persuasively orally communicate scientific evidence to substantiate theoretical arguments concerning the nature of human addictive behaviour

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 3. Acquire detailed knowledge within the discipline, and demonstrate advanced critical understanding of this knowledge
• 4. Review and critically evaluate published work at an advanced level and present a logical, coherent and sustained argument to support conclusions

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 5. Interact effectively and supportively within a learning group
• 6. Manage your own learning using the full range of resources
• 7. Take responsibility for your own work and criticise it
• 8. Engage effectively in debate in a professional manner

Syllabus plan

The module consists of a series of eleven seminars, Indicative topics are as follows:

• Week 1: Course structure/assessment, presentation schedule, thinking about the main issues
• Week 2: Withdrawal
• Week 3: Positive reinforcement
• Week 4: Individual vulnerability factors
• Week 5: Psychiatric comorbidity
• Week 6: Reading week
• Week 7: Controlled and automatic learning mechanisms
• Week 8: Behaviour therapy I
• Week 9: Behaviour therapy II
• Week 10: Prevention                   
• Week 11: Prohibition

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Three assessments are required for this module. Where you have been referred/deferred in the examination you will have the opportunity to take a second examination in the August/September re-assessment period. For a deferred presentation, reassessment will be by arrangement with the module convenor. For a referred presentation, reassessment shall be by individual presentation in the August Ref/Def period. Where you have been referred/deferred in the coursework you will be required to resubmit the coursework. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%; deferred marks are not capped.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

There is no core text for this course. The following articles provide a good overview of some issues discussed:

• Hall W, Carter A, Forlini C (2015) The brain disease model of addiction: is it supported by the evidence and has it delivered on its promises? The Lancet Psychiatry 2: 105-110.
• Heather, N. (2017) Is the concept of compulsion useful in the explanation or description of addictive behaviour and experience? Addictive Behaviors Reports, 6, 15-38.
• Magill and Longabaugh 2012 - Efficacy combined with specified ingredients: a new direction for empirically supported addiction treatment, Addiction 108(5)  874 – 881).
• Greenwald G (2009) Drug decriminalization in Portugal: lessons for creating fair and successful drug policies. Cato Institute Whitepaper Series.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• ELE page: https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=9386 (Core readings will be made available via the module ELE page)

Key words search

Psychology, addictive behaviour