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Incentive-sensitization theory of addiction

 

Explanations > Addiction > Incentive-sensitization theory of addiction

Hypersensitization | Wanting | Repetition | Desire | See also

 

Robinson and Berridge have described a theory of addiction based on preconscious sensitization of neural systems.

1. Hypersensitization

Compulsive seeking of drugs comes from a progressive and persistent hypersensitization of particular neural systems.

This neural sensitization describes increasing ability of a drug to stimulate particular neurobehavioral systems. Even intermittent use of drugs leads to this sensitization.

Sensitization increases the effect of the same quantity of a drug. Thus the person gets steadily increasing pleasure each time they use it.

This is not just a pharmacological effect. Learning systems and conditioning are important and act to amplify results.

2. Increased wanting

The neural systems involved lead to a motivational sequence of incentive salience or, more simply, 'wanting.'

This is not 'liking' or pleasure, which is an outcome, but a driver of the addictive action, although it may have pleasurable associations, perhaps of anticipated pleasure.

The 'wanting' and 'liking' described here are preconscious processes that leads to conscious desire and pleasure.

3. Repetition

Repetition of the addictive behavior, typically taking drugs, leads to increased sensitization. Addicts thus want the drugs more even if they know the harmful effects and would like to stop.

4. Conscious desire

The preconscious neural wanting becomes conscious desire. This translation process can lead to us seeking something without really knowing why.

See also

Understanding the brain

 

Robinson, T.E. and Berridge, K.C. (1993). The neural basis of drug craving: An incentive-sensitization theory of addiction. Brain Research, 18, 247-291.

Berridge, K.C. and Robinson, T.E. (1995). The mind of an addicted brain: neural sensitization of wanting versus liking, Current Directions in Psychological Science, 4, 71–76.

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Please help and share:

 

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Disciplines

* Argument
* Brand management
* Change Management
* Coaching
* Communication
* Counseling
* Game Design
* Human Resources
* Job-finding
* Leadership
* Marketing
* Politics
* Propaganda
* Rhetoric
* Negotiation
* Psychoanalysis
* Sales
* Sociology
* Storytelling
* Teaching
* Warfare
* Workplace design

Techniques

* Assertiveness
* Body language
* Change techniques
* Closing techniques
* Conversation
* Confidence tricks
* Conversion
* Creative techniques
* General techniques
* Happiness
* Hypnotism
* Interrogation
* Language
* Listening
* Negotiation tactics
* Objection handling
* Propaganda
* Problem-solving
* Public speaking
* Questioning
* Using repetition
* Resisting persuasion
* Self-development
* Sequential requests
* Storytelling
* Stress Management
* Tipping
* Using humor
* Willpower

Principles

+ Principles

Explanations

* Behaviors
* Beliefs
* Brain stuff
* Conditioning
* Coping Mechanisms
* Critical Theory
* Culture
* Decisions
* Emotions
* Evolution
* Gender
* Games
* Groups
* Habit
* Identity
* Learning
* Meaning
* Memory
* Motivation
* Models
* Needs
* Personality
* Power
* Preferences
* Research
* Relationships
* SIFT Model
* Social Research
* Stress
* Trust
* Values

Theories

* Alphabetic list
* Theory types

And

About
Guest Articles
Blog!
Books
Changes
Contact
Guestbook
Quotes
Students
Webmasters

 

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© Changing Works 2002-
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