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Psychological problemsAddictionSocial Learning TheoryApplication
AQA GCSE · Question 18
Read the following information.
Research has found that an important factor affecting teenage drug use is whether or not drug use is common within a teenager's friendship group. Another important factor is the way that the teenagers' role models talk about drug use.
Briefly outline one psychological explanation of addiction.
Refer to the information in your answer.
Read the following information.
Research has found that an important factor affecting teenage drug use is whether or not drug use is common within a teenager's friendship group. Another important factor is the way that the teenagers' role models talk about drug use.
Briefly outline one psychological explanation of addiction.
Refer to the information in your answer.
How to approach this question
1. Choose a relevant psychological explanation for addiction. Given the stimulus, social learning theory is the most obvious choice.
2. Briefly outline the key principles of this theory (e.g., observation, imitation, role models, vicarious reinforcement).
3. Link the theory to the information provided. Quote or paraphrase the parts about 'friendship group' and 'role models' and explain how they are examples of the principles you have just outlined.
Full Answer
One psychological explanation of addiction is social learning theory. This theory suggests that addiction is a learned behaviour, acquired through observation and imitation of others. The information supports this because it states that teenage drug use is affected by whether it is 'common within a teenager's friendship group'. A teenager might observe their friends using drugs and see them being rewarded with social status or enjoyment. They may then imitate this behaviour to gain the same rewards. The information also mentions the influence of 'role models', which is a key concept in social learning theory; if a teenager's role model talks about drug use positively, the teenager is more likely to imitate that behaviour and attitude.
Social Learning Theory (SLT), proposed by Albert Bandura, is a key explanation for the initiation of addictive behaviours. SLT suggests we learn by observing others (models). If a teenager observes their peers or role models engaging in drug use (observation) and sees them experiencing positive consequences like social acceptance or pleasure (vicarious reinforcement), they are more likely to copy that behaviour (imitation). The information in the question directly points to these social influences, making SLT a perfect fit.
Common mistakes
Outlining a theory (like classical or operant conditioning) that is harder to link to the specific information provided in the stimulus. The key is to use the theory that best fits the evidence given.
Practice the full AQA GCSE Psychology Paper 2
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