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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
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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