Personality types- addictive behaviour- describe

Question 1

what is an ‘addictive personality’?

Answer 1

This is an idea which is commonly discussed- the idea that some people have personalities which predispose them to addiction. This is relevant to all addictions, so if they get rid of one, they will get another

Question 2

give an example of a high profile who gives weight to this idea

Answer 2

amy winehouse- however, this pop sychology may not reflect reality

Question 3

what theory is this explanation based on?

Answer 3

eysencks theory of personality.

Question 4

what 3 dimensions of personality did Eysenck identify?

Answer 4

1- psychotism
2- extraversion
3- neuroticism

Question 5

extraversion- characteristics

Answer 5

sociable, irresponsible, expressive

Question 6

psychotic- characteristics

Answer 6

impulsive, aggressive, manipulative

Question 7

neurotic- characteristics

Answer 7

anxious, depressed, guilty

Question 8

extraversion- link to addiction

Answer 8

there is very little evidence to suggest that there is a link between personality traits of extraversion and addicitive behaviours

Question 9

psychoticism- link to addiction

Answer 9

• due to their high impulsivity, the tendency to act on a whim, with little thought, planning or consideration of the consequences of their actions
• it makes sense for high levels of impulsivity to link to engaging in addicitive behaviours, as their personality may lead to ignore or fail to account for these consequences

Question 10

psychotism- evidence

Answer 10

de wit- 2009- found that impulsiveness was both a cause and an effect of drug abuse through his review of studies.

Question 11

Neuroticism- link to addiction

Answer 11

• eysenk argued that people with high neuroticis would be more prone to addiction as a way of coping with the effects of their neuroticism such as depression. They will use it as a form of self- medication to deal with these, avoiding feelings of low self- esteem.

Question 12

neurotism- study

Answer 12

griffiths 2010- used the example of online gambling- it is a wasy for an individual to escape from their problems.

Question 13

Dong et al 2013

Answer 13

studied Chinese university students who were given the EPQ just after entering university, Two years later, their addiction to the internet was assessed. They found that the higher N + P scores were linked to addiction