(2027 Exams) Evaluation of a Learning Theory

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Evaluation of Learning Theory: Strengths

The learning theory states that nicotine addiction is a learned behaviour by observing and modelling nicotine-related behaviour. Nicotine addiction is then reinforced through operant or classical conditioning.

Moolchan et al. (2000)

There have been a number of studies that support the theory. - One such study was done by Moolchan et al. (2000).
- They discovered that 75% of teenage smokers had at least one parent that smoked.
In other words, they were likely to learn smoking behaviour from their parents, which supports social learning theory.

Moolchan et al. (2000) cont.

Additionally, the teens surveyed said that they liked to smoke to fit in with their peers.
So the idea of operant conditioning is supported - the teens continued to smoke because the habit was positively reinforced.

Cue reactivity

A second study conducted by Engelmann et al. (2012) provided support for cue reactivity.
Cue reactivity is a form of classical conditioning whereby people see stimuli associated with smoking (such as alcohol, cigarette lighters, people who smoke) and begin to crave nicotine as a result.

Engelmann et al.

Engelmann et al. completed a meta-analysis of fMRI examinations.
They found, in smokers, that there were larger neural responses to smoking-related cues compared to non-smoking (neutral) cues.

Generalisability

A third strength is the fact that many of the studies were conducted with humans, rather than with animals.
So the conclusions drawn from these studies can be generalised to the population.
The brain neurochemistry approach did many animal studies, so the findings from these studies could not be generalised to humans.

Psychological and physical dependence

Finally, some substances, such as cannabis, do not cause physical withdrawal symptoms.
So addictions to these substances cannot be explained through the brain neurochemistry approach.
But the learning theory explains the psychological dependence formed for these substances.
This is a strength of the learning theory because it explains both psychological dependence and physical dependence.

Evaluation of Learning Theory: Weaknesses

The learning theory states that nicotine addiction is a learned behaviour through observing and modelling others. Nicotine use is then reinforced through operant or classical conditioning.

Nomothetic

Nomothetic approaches are those that focus on explaining behaviour through general laws that apply to whole populations.
The learning theory of explaining nicotine addiction is nomothetic, so it does not take into account individual differences.

Reductionist

The theory also ignores other factors that lead to addiction, such as genetics and the brain neurochemistry approach.
This makes it reductionist.

Free will

Free will is the concept that people choose how to behave.
This is the opposite of determinism, where behaviour is a result of cause-and-effect relationships.
There is a certain degree of free will whereby people can make a decision to use nicotine.

Free will cont.

They can make this decision based on what they know about cigarettes (i.e. the dangers).
But the learning theory does not take into account free will, so is a weakness.

Combination

Overall, addiction to nicotine is likely to be a combination of brain neurochemistry (biochemical), genetics and social learning.
Biochemical and genetic factors fall on the nature side of the debate, while social learning falls on the nurture side of the debate.

Nature and nurture

People may have genetics (nature) that make them more likely to be predisposed to addiction. But they may also have role models (environment/nurture) from which to imitate behaviour.
The majority of psychologists believe that most human behaviour, including addiction, is likely caused by the interaction of nature and nurture.