PSYC FPX 4310 Assessment 2 Theories and Ethics PSYC FPX 4310 Biological Psychology

Prof. Name:

Date

Theories behind Addiction

When evaluating an article, the most critical aspects to consider are the information’s accuracy and the validity of the content. It is essential to perform a quality check on the article itself to ensure that the information meets ethical standards. In this paper, we will examine the ethical practices related to addiction and behavior.

To determine whether a study adheres to ethical standards, several criteria must be considered. According to Bailie et al. (2016), researchers assess factors such as social and clinical value, fair subject selection, risk-benefit ratio, independent review, consent, and respect for enrolled participants. These practices are reflected in various studies that explore the relationship between human mood, arousal, and addiction. Ethical standards are upheld while examining the underlying theories.

Article Analysis

Article 1:

Behavioral arousal in response to stress and drug cues in alcohol and cocaine-addicted individuals versus healthy controls
Research conducted by Caplin et al. (2010) investigates the stress and drug-induced responses associated with substance abuse. The study highlights the differences in behavior between individuals addicted to substances, such as cocaine or alcohol, and those who are not addicted. The findings reveal that addicts exhibit greater emotional responses to stress, linked to neurological changes observed during withdrawal. A new scale, the Behavioral Arousal Scale (BAS), was developed to measure the behavioral and physiological responses of addicts and healthy individuals when exposed to high-stress situations, drug cues, and relaxing images. The results showed that addicted individuals had higher cardiovascular responses compared to healthy controls. The experimental research adhered to ethical standards, including compliance with the Helsinki Declaration of 1975 and approval by the Institutional Review Board (Chaplin et al., 2010).

Article 2:

Expectation of having consumed caffeine can improve performance and mood
Dawkins et al. (2011) explored the psychological impact and the expectation of caffeine consumption on performance and mood. The study involved participants assigned to different groups: no caffeine administered, caffeine consumers, and those falsely informed they had consumed caffeine. The study found that those who believed they had consumed caffeine or actually consumed it performed better and had improved moods compared to those who did not consume caffeine. The research was ethically approved by the UEL’s School of Psychology ethics committee, and participants were recruited through campus advertisements. The study followed a double-blind design to maintain objectivity.

Article 3:

Addiction, Anhedonia, and Comorbid Mood Disorder
Destoop et al. (2019) examined the relationship between anhedonia, a condition characterized by a lack of pleasure in normally enjoyable activities, and its connection to mental, mood, and emotional disorders that increase the likelihood of substance abuse. The researchers noted a lack of information linking anhedonia to underlying neurobiological and neurocognitive factors and their role in addictive behaviors. The study was conducted using a search strategy that identified 32 related articles for review, with methods reported by participants. Ethical standards were maintained by ensuring no commercial or financial conflicts of interest, which could introduce bias. The study was reviewed by the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Italy before publication.

Article 4:

I need my smartphone: A Hierarchical Model of Personality and Cell-Phone Addiction
Roberts et al. (2015) conducted research on cell phone addiction and its relationship to personality traits, including agreeableness, emotional instability, extraversion, and neuroticism. The study used a personality model to explore the connection between personality and cell phone addiction. Data was collected through online surveys and questionnaires administered to 364 college students, and the analysis was performed using a structural equation model. The results supported the theory that personality plays a significant role in cell phone addiction. The study also found that students with higher levels of cell phone usage had lower grade point averages. The research was ethically approved by the Institutional Review Board committee and adhered to scientific standards.

Article 5:

Mood changes after watching pornography on the Internet are linked to tendencies towards Internet-pornography-viewing disorder
Laier & Brand (2017) investigated the increasing addiction to Internet pornography and its impact on relationships. The study proposed that certain individuals are m