Occurrence | Teaching cycle |
---|---|
A | Spring Term 2022-23 |
In this course we'll be getting to grips with the full force of drug addiction and so will be taking an in-depth look at the causes of addiction from both psychological and biological perspectives, and the emotional consequences as experienced by real people. Theories of drug addiction and related therapies will be assessed in light of earlier work carried out during the module.
Aims
to raise awareness of the complex interplay between biological and psychological mechanisms that may determine much human behaviour.
to examine the evidence which suggests that a single neural pathway of the brain - the mesoaccumbens dopamine projection - may play a key role in addictive behaviour.
to make clear the distinction between primary and secondary reinforcement, and to evaluate the implications for data on the fundamental function of the mesoaccumbens dopamine for the possible nature of drug addiction.
to examine the phenomenon of drug craving, and establish the means by which it might influence people's behaviour, and to establish the extent to which drug craving might or might not be a crucial agent in drug relapse.
to highlight the ability of adverse events permanently to change the functioning of the mesoaccumbens dopamine projection in such a fashion as to increase vulnerability to drug addiction, and to evaluate the significance of these research findings for 'real life' experiences.
to develop an understanding of the issues facing any potential treatment for drug addiction, and to learn to critically evaluate various treatment options in the light of the fundamentals of addiction.
to evaluate current theories of drug addiction in the light of findings covered in previous seminars.
Task | Length | % of module mark |
---|---|---|
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled) Drug Addiction |
5 hours | 100 |
None
Task | Length | % of module mark |
---|---|---|
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled) Drug Addiction |
5 hours | 100 |
The marks on all assessed work will be provided on e-vision.
These marks will be accompanied by module feedback forms which will be circulated by e-mail.
Students will meet supervisors in wk 6 in AuT, SpT and wk 9 in SuT to discuss their marks.
Although there is no textbook for the course, relevant sections of the following book on learning and memory, reward and addiction are superb, and would provide suitable background information:
Carlson, NR. (2016). Physiology of Behaviour. 12th Edition. Allyn & Bacon, MA, USA.