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Explaining Depression and Addiction

How do psychologists explain depression and addiction? Explore the genetic, cognitive and learning explanations, and the nature versus nurture debate behind them.

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What you'll cover

Two psychological problems 🧠

Depression and addiction are two common **psychological problems**. Psychologists explain why they develop in three main ways: **genetic**, **cognitive** and **learning** explanations. This module looks at those explanations and the debate behind them. Both conditions are treated clinically and sensitively here.

Key terms 📖

Learn these before you weigh the explanations:

Match each feature to what it means

  • Tolerance
  • Withdrawal
  • Negative triad
  • Predisposition
  • Needing more of a substance to feel the same effect
  • Unpleasant effects when stopping a substance
  • Negative views of the self, world and future
  • An inherited vulnerability to a problem

Symptoms of depression

Which of these is a recognised symptom of depression?

  • Persistent low mood and loss of interest in activities
  • Needing far less sleep and feeling elated for weeks
  • A high temperature and a cough
  • Improved concentration and boundless energy

Three explanations 🧬

Psychologists explain these problems in three main ways. **Genetic**: some people inherit a **predisposition**, shown by family and twin studies. **Cognitive**: negative, faulty **thinking** patterns, used mainly to explain depression. **Learning**: behaviour learned through **reinforcement**, used mainly to explain addiction.

Match each explanation to its core idea

  • Genetic explanation
  • Cognitive explanation
  • Learning explanation
  • Nature vs nurture
  • An inherited predisposition, seen in twin studies
  • Negative, faulty thought patterns
  • Behaviour learned through reinforcement
  • Whether biology or experience causes a problem

The genetic explanation

The genetic explanation says people can inherit a _____ to depression or addiction. Evidence comes from _____ studies, which compare identical and non-identical pairs. Genes are thought to affect brain _____, such as the chemicals that control mood and _____.

predisposition twin chemistry reward choice weather muscles punishment

The cognitive theory

The cognitive theory of depression centres on Beck's negative triad. What is it?

  • Negative views of the self, the world and the future
  • A diet plan for improving mood
  • Three medications taken together
  • A type of brain scan

The reinforcement cycle

An interactive activity.

Nature versus nurture ⚖️

These explanations sit in the **nature versus nurture** debate. The **genetic** explanation is a **nature** view: problems come from inherited biology. The **cognitive** and **learning** explanations are **nurture** views: problems come from thoughts and experiences. Most psychologists think the two **interact**.

The learning theory of addiction

Select the TWO statements that fit the learning theory of addiction.

  • A reward reinforces the behaviour, making it more likely
  • Cues in the environment become linked to using
  • Addiction is caused only by inherited genes
  • Addiction comes from negative views of the future

The explanations summary

There are three explanations. The _____ explanation points to inherited genes. The _____ explanation points to negative thinking and best explains depression. The _____ explanation points to reinforcement and best explains addiction. Genes are a _____ factor, while thoughts and experience are nurture factors.

genetic cognitive learning nature social emotional medical nurture

Which explanation?

An interactive activity.

Explain an explanation

An interactive activity.