Dq Response

I like how you incorporated your own original definitions of each model and theory; however are there any particular ones that stand out to you? For example, do any of them grab your attention by explaining the process of addiction or why might some suffer from it? I would enjoy hearing your opinion.

In my personal opinion, social learning theory presented by behaviorist school of thought was more influential and striking than rest of the other theories. This theory propounds the most intriguing notion that human mind—at the time of birth—is similar to blank slate; “tabula rasa” due to lacking environmental experiences. With the passing time, he seeks new learning through modeling and observation from his family members, teachers, peers and colleagues and his mind becomes incorporated accordingly. Human being—being an active and motivated learner as claimed by Piaget—is prone to acquire behavioral modifications either consciously or unconsciously in response to the personal and vicarious experiences. Substance abuse is one of them. When individual observes his peers indulged in some activity, being the part of group, he either willingly or unwillingly attempts to acquire parallel behaviors. The rest of the addiction mechanism is neurological in nature.

These are some very good reasons why the numbers in America rise up throughout time. Have you very tried and realize or thought to dig deeper about things? With about the drug rise in America?

As far as single most important factor behind drug addiction is concerned, I prefer psychological illness and low self esteem. Rationale behind choosing this factor is that “our cognitive patterns, feelings, emotions and perceptions” determine our “behavioral patterns.” When an individual encounters psychological illness his thinking patterns, perceptions and emotions are deteriorated. For example, in case of depression, individual loses interest and motivation in proximal relationships and meeting new people, feels difficulty in initiating any task and he is overwhelmed by unrealistic sense of worthlessness. Eventually, he is nearly banished from the society because of his maladjusted behaviors—loneliness strikes him badly. The ultimate source of satisfaction for him becomes drug usage because drugs give instant euphoric effect stimulating our reward system, without any apparent cause of happiness. Repeated use leads to drug abuse and ultimately addiction.

Class, isn't it true that alcohol and drugs are glamorized by our society, particularly the famous and wealthy? How so and why do you think this continues to occur?

Similar trend has long been observed in the movies and mass media as individual after having broken relationships and academic or professional failures prefers smoking and alcohol or indulges him in unacceptable antisocial activities. Again, theory of social learning is best applicable here. Media glamorizes drug use whereas massive viewership from the common audience makes it easier to incorporate such behaviors through observation and modeling. Based on the psychological models of classical and operant conditioning, individual unintentionally acquires and implements such behaviors when passes through similar situation. This will occur continually because drug use has now become a glamorous trend in film and advertisement industry—regardless of their possible psychological consequences.