Lesson 8.1.2

8.1.2 Biological explanations of addiction Quiz: Pearson Edexcel Psychology, Unit 8

20 questions

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Lesson 8.1.2, Biological explanations of addiction: 20 multiple choice questions for the Pearson Edexcel Psychology (9PS0), Unit 8: Health psychology, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. Which neurotransmitter is most directly linked to the reward pathway that drugs such as heroin and nicotine activate?

    • Glutamate in the cerebellum
    • Serotonin only
    • Noradrenaline in the spinal cord
    • Dopamine

  2. How does heroin act on the brain at the level of its mode of action?

    • It blocks all dopamine receptors in the frontal lobe
    • It stimulates acetylcholine receptors in the muscles only
    • It binds to opioid receptors, mimicking endorphins and producing pain relief and euphoria
    • It increases the rate at which GABA is broken down in the cortex

  3. Which biological mechanism best explains how alcohol produces its sedating effect?

    • It increases the number of nicotinic receptors on neurons
    • It blocks all opioid receptors in the brain
    • It prevents dopamine from being released in any region
    • It enhances the action of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA and suppresses glutamate activity

  4. Nicotine's mode of action involves which receptors?

    • GABA-A receptors only
    • Opioid receptors
    • NMDA receptors in the hippocampus only
    • Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors

  5. Which brain area is most closely linked to the reward response produced by drugs, and which pathway connects it?

    • The corpus callosum, via the optic nerve
    • The cerebellum, via the vagus nerve
    • The medulla, via the spinal cord
    • The nucleus accumbens, via the mesolimbic dopamine pathway from the ventral tegmental area

  6. A study finds that people with a family history of alcoholism are more likely to develop alcohol dependence. Which biological explanation does this evidence support?

    • A genetic predisposition that makes some people more vulnerable to dependence
    • The idea that dependence is caused by classical conditioning alone
    • The idea that alcohol dependence is entirely caused by peer groups
    • The idea that dependence is caused by monotropy

  7. Twin studies of alcoholism compare monozygotic twins with dizygotic twins. What pattern would support a genetic explanation?

    • Monozygotic twins show higher concordance for alcoholism than dizygotic twins
    • Both types of twin show identical concordance
    • Dizygotic twins show higher concordance than monozygotic twins
    • Neither type of twin shows any concordance

  8. Why is a biological explanation of nicotine addiction described as offering a 'mode of action' explanation?

    • It explains how the drug affects neurotransmitter systems in the brain to produce its effects
    • It explains how the drug is sold in shops
    • It explains how people are conditioned to smoke in social settings
    • It explains how nicotine is removed from the body by the kidneys only

  9. Heroin use causes the brain to stop producing its own endorphins over time. Which concept does this illustrate?

    • Observational learning from a model
    • Monotropic attachment in infancy
    • Tolerance and dependence resulting from neural adaptation
    • Classical conditioning of a neutral stimulus

  10. A biological explanation predicts that a drug that blocks opioid receptors should reduce heroin use. Which evidence would support this prediction?

    • A study showing that heroin is cheaper in some areas
    • A study showing that naltrexone reduces heroin use and craving
    • A study showing that heroin users have larger social networks
    • A study showing that heroin users prefer sweet foods

  11. Which evaluation point is most appropriate for a biological explanation of addiction?

    • It explains addiction in terms of learning, so it is not biological
    • It explains the physical processes involved but may underplay the role of social and psychological factors
    • It has no supporting research at all
    • It is contradicted by all twin studies

  12. Which statement about the role of dopamine in drug reward is most accurate?

    • Dopamine is only involved in movement and has no link to reward
    • Drugs always reduce dopamine release in the reward pathway
    • Drugs can cause large, rapid increases in dopamine that are stronger than those produced by natural rewards
    • Dopamine plays no role in addiction in any species

  13. Why do animal studies with rats support biological explanations of addiction?

    • Because rats are able to give informed consent
    • Because rats can be given drugs and their brain activity or self-administration can be measured directly
    • Because animal studies always show no effect of drugs
    • Because rats have no brains similar to humans

  14. A researcher finds that a genetic variant is associated with lower dopamine receptor density and higher nicotine intake. Which conclusion is most appropriate?

    • The variant is one factor that may contribute to nicotine use, though environment also matters
    • Nicotine intake causes the variant to appear
    • The variant directly guarantees nicotine addiction
    • The variant has no link to the reward pathway

  15. Alcohol increases GABA activity. Which effect would you expect when a person drinks a large amount in a short time?

    • Increased levels of glutamate activity in the cortex
    • Increased alertness and faster reaction times
    • Reduced motor coordination and slowed reaction times
    • Improved memory consolidation at the same level

  16. Which biological explanation of addiction would best account for the withdrawal symptoms seen when heroin is stopped?

    • Withdrawal is caused by an increase in dopamine in the frontal lobe
    • The brain has adapted to the presence of opioids, so their sudden absence causes rebound effects
    • Withdrawal is caused by monotropic attachments
    • Withdrawal is caused by the body's reaction to a learned stimulus only

  17. A new drug is designed to reduce nicotine's effect on acetylcholine receptors. Which outcome would best support the biological explanation of nicotine addiction?

    • Increased smoking behaviour in participants
    • Reduced cravings and smoking behaviour in participants
    • Improved short-term memory only
    • No change in smoking behaviour in any group

  18. Which statement best summarises the mode of action of nicotine in producing reward?

    • Nicotine acts only on the spinal cord to reduce pain
    • Nicotine blocks dopamine receptors in the reward areas
    • Nicotine stimulates nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, leading to dopamine release in reward areas
    • Nicotine has no effect on the brain's chemistry

  19. Why might a biological explanation of addiction be considered deterministic?

    • It uses only qualitative methods to reach conclusions
    • It claims that addiction is entirely random
    • It explains behaviour using many interacting social factors
    • It suggests that biology alone determines whether a person becomes addicted, leaving little room for choice or experience

  20. A researcher wants to test whether heritability of alcoholism is about 50 per cent in a sample. Which design would be most appropriate?

    • A content analysis of television adverts
    • A structured observation in a classroom
    • A longitudinal study of one child only
    • A twin study comparing identical and non-identical twins raised together and apart

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