Cognitive models for addictive behaviours

key factor in the development of addiction problems

involves weighing up the importance of social and physical factors and personal goals when planning addictive behaviour

addictive behaviours are thought to occur more in those who place more reliance on external structures (e.g. drugs) to maintain balance between physical and psychological needs

people who engage in self destructive behaviours have impaired control of their own actions because they have faulty ways of weighing things up

Ainslie- people are able to consider future and present consequences, they just attach different significance to them and place too much emplasis on the present rewards

Herrnstein and prelec- this is called cognitive myopia or short sightedness

Tiffany- addictions become automatic, we dont think about them we just do it- automatic processing

resisting the everyday urges faced by an addict requires everything else in their life to be in order in order to beat the addiction

Beck et al- addictive beliefs play an important part in the delelopment of addictive behaviours, a person may find it fun to smoke or drink but these beleifs turn into need

these people often have low self esteem and may have depression or anxiety