Psychology of Addiction and Self-Control

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following is a diagnostic symptom of addiction?

Lack of pleasure

Repeated usage (correct)

Tolerance (correct)

Increased social interactions

According to the mate marketplace hypothesis, what is typically true about couples?

Coupling occurs randomly, regardless of social factors

Couples often have significant age differences

Economic status is irrelevant in forming couples

Individuals in couples generally have similar levels of social attractiveness (correct)

Helen Fischer suggests that love is comparable to a drug because:

Love is chemically addictive like opioids (correct)

Love can be purchased like illegal substances

Dopamine is released when seeing a loved one

Love can be manufactured through medical interventions

What does the Handicap Principle suggest about biological traits?

Costly traits indicate superior genetics Signup and view all the answers

Helen Fischer argues in her TED talk that individuals in love experience what neurological changes?

Activation of brain areas linked to reward and addiction Signup and view all the answers

What does the ego depletion hypothesis suggest about self-control?

Self-control is a finite resource - the more you use it, the less of it you have. Signup and view all the answers

How does Carl Hart differentiate between drug usage and drug addiction?

He argues that most drug users are not drug addicts, indicating a distinction. Signup and view all the answers

What implication does the response of drug addicts to price increases have?

It reveals that drug addicts are compelled to take drugs, but are sensitive to external factors. Signup and view all the answers

What does the behavior of rats self-administering cocaine until death illustrate?

Addiction is a brain disorder - the rats' brains change with access to sweet treats. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of social media addiction is highlighted by Tristan Harris?

Social media addiction is a critical societal issue that needs addressing. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary economic impact of addiction in the U.S.?

Increased healthcare spending Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately defines addiction?

Compulsive drug use despite harmful consequences Signup and view all the answers

What did Dr. Hart's research suggest about social conditions and addiction?

Improved social conditions make addiction less likely Signup and view all the answers

What is NOT a symptom of addiction?

Enthusiastic interest in daily activities Signup and view all the answers

What does Harris argue about social media and addiction?

It exploits human psychology to keep users engaged Signup and view all the answers

What psychological state is implied when you say Tom is happy because his life is going well without asking him directly?

The psychological state of mind of having a favorable attitude towards one’s life as a whole Signup and view all the answers

What does the Experience Machine Objection suggest about the nature of pleasure?

Pleasure is essential but not sufficient for happiness Signup and view all the answers

What is one criticism of the happiness as life satisfaction theory?

Satisfaction can coexist with significant personal unhappiness Signup and view all the answers

According to the hedonic treadmill hypothesis, how do lottery winners and accident survivors feel over time?

Equally happy one year after their life-changing events Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is considered one of the main contributions to a person's happiness?

The number and quality of their social relationships Signup and view all the answers

According to Aristotle's theory of happiness as flourishing, can unknown factors affect your happiness?

Yes, happiness can be influenced by unknown factors Signup and view all the answers

What does the quality of pleasures objection emphasize regarding different types of pleasures?

Higher intellectual pleasures can outweigh lower pleasures Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes flourishing?

Experiencing well-being in multiple facets of life, including emotional and social aspects Signup and view all the answers

What do flourishing theorists argue regarding a slave who claims to be satisfied with life?

They argue that true happiness is not possible under oppression. Signup and view all the answers

According to eudaimonism, what is the core aspect of happiness?

Living in accordance with rationality and virtue. Signup and view all the answers

How might the hedonic treadmill prediction be summarized?

A person will return to their baseline level of happiness after a loss. Signup and view all the answers

What does Aristotle's concept of flourishing involve?

Developing practical and intellectual virtues. Signup and view all the answers

What is suggested about the relationship between love and addiction?

Love is compared to addiction due to feelings of euphoria and obsession. Signup and view all the answers

What does the mate marketplace hypothesis state?

Market value based on attributes influences whom people love. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the waist-to-hip ratio in terms of attractiveness?

A ratio between 0.6 and 0.8 indicates fertility and health. Signup and view all the answers

Which principle suggests that costly traits signal strong genetic quality?

The handicap principle. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Ego Depletion Hypothesis

Self control is a limited resource.
The more we use self control, the less we have left.

Addiction as a Brain Disorder

Rats stop self-administering cocaine when offered more rewarding alternatives like sugar water or sexual companionship.
This suggests addiction is not merely a moral failing, but rooted in a dysfunction in the brain's reward system.

Addiction

Definition: A chronic disorder characterized by compulsive drug use despite adverse consequences.
Symptoms:
- Tolerance: Needing increasingly larger doses to achieve the desired effect.
- Repeated usage: Despite negative consequences.
- Lack of pleasure: Loss of enjoyment in activities previously considered pleasurable.
Not a symptom: Enthusiastic interest in daily activities.

Design features: Social media platforms strategically exploit human psychology, keeping users engaged through features such as notifications and continuous scrolling.
Business model: Profiteering off user attention.
Design Renaissance: Harris proposes ethical redesigns to promote healthy online habits, preventing companies from exploiting users' attention.

Love

Evolutionary Motivation: Promotes bonding for increased reproductive success and offspring survival.
Brain Chemistry: Similar to addiction, brain's reward centers (dopamine system) activate when seeing a loved one.
Helen Fisher's theory: Love as a drug, with similar brain activity as consuming opioids.

Mate Selection

Handicap Principle: Costly traits (e.g., peacocks' tails) signal genetic fitness to potential mates.
Waist-to-Hip ratio: A ratio between 0.6 and 0.8 is often associated with fertility and health, making it attractive.

Happiness

Aristotle's Eudaimonia: Flourishing and happiness achieved through virtuous living and rational activity.
Happiness as Life Satisfaction: Subjective evaluation of one's overall life, but can be influenced by expectations.
Hedonic Treadmill Hypothesis: We tend to return to our baseline level of happiness even after major life changes.
Factors contributing to happiness:
- Social relationships
- Personality traits
- Engaging meaningfully with life, not just pursuing goals.

Drug Addiction

Hart's Argument: Drug addiction differs from drug use. Societal factors significantly influence the likelihood of addiction.
Hart's Evidence: Lab experiments demonstrate that under better social conditions (jobs, housing), drug users are less likely to become addicted.
Economic Costs: Addiction costs the US economy billions annually due to healthcare, crime, and lost productivity.

Drug Policy

Brain Disease Model: Policy should focus on treatment and rehabilitation, not punishment.

Happiness and Pleasure

Quality of Pleasures Objection: Higher, intellectual pleasures might outweigh lower physical ones, challenging the idea that all pleasures are equal.
Experience Machine Objection: Pleasure alone may not constitute true happiness. We value authentic experiences and reality.
Happiness from External Sources (Prozac/wine): Debatable whether these induce "genuine" happiness, as it's chemically induced rather than stemming from life experiences.

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Description

Explore the complex relationship between self-control, addiction, and the brain's reward system. Learn about the ego depletion hypothesis and how it relates to compulsive behaviors, including social media addiction. This quiz delves into the psychological aspects of addiction and its implications.