For this assignment, I would like you to watch the following very brief (~5 minute) video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUngLgGRJpo Links to an external site.
In this video, you will see a cartoon bird that continues to eat a golden nugget. Some people have noted that the bird’s behavior in this cartoon mimics the addiction/compulsive drug use process. What I would like you to do is to think about how each of the 3 biopsychological theories we will discuss in class (Opponent Process Theory, Hedonic Dysregulation Theory, Incentive Sensitization Theory) is depicted by the behavior and outcomes demonstrated by the bird in this video. In this writing assignment, you are to apply two of the theories to the bird’s behavior. Specifically, you are to write on 1) your choice of either the Opponent Process Theory or the Hedonic Dysregulation Theory, and 2) the Incentive Sensitization Theory. The purpose of this assignment is to force you to think about and work within these models, as they are some of the most difficult concepts this semester. To be clear, everyone must write on the Incentive Sensitization Theory, and otherwise you have your choice between Opponent Process Theory and Hedonic Dysregulation Theory.
In your paper, you should 1) explain how each theory works to explain compulsive drug use, and 2) specifically apply that theory to the bird’s behavior in the video. Please note that every aspect of each theory will not be depicted in this video. It is your job to first comprehensively explain the theory (outside the context of the bird), and then to describe the aspects of the theory depicted in the bird’s behavior. It is fine if you feel like you need to speculate a bit, so long as you’re appropriately applying it to the theory.
There is not a page limit on this assignment, though I expect that most papers will be about 3 pages (double-spaced). As a note, if your paper is much shorter than 2 pages, you probably have not provided enough detail or information. On the other hand, if your paper is longer than 5 pages, you probably either include unnecessary information, or are not clearly/concisely describing information. In either of those cases, I would strongly recommend that you go back to see how you can improve your assignment. Please use Times New Roman size 12 font and double-space your assignment. Please upload your assignment as a Microsoft Word file (doc, docx).
As mentioned, these models of addiction are challenging to understand. I do not expect that you will be able to explain them in the same level of detail as I did in lecture. However, I do expect you to describe all of the core features of each theory that I discussed in class to explain compulsive drug use (as explained in lecture) to the best of your ability (see below for more info). Grossly inaccurate or incomplete explanations will result in major point deductions. Expect that you may need to spend more time working on this paper than you might otherwise plan for (given that it’s a relatively short assignment). If you feel like you are fully lacking in understanding of these models, please reach out to me or the TAs for help, sooner rather than later! While I will not read over full assignments ahead of time, I am happy to answer specific questions regarding your understanding of the concepts.
Your paper is due by 11:59pm on Monday 2/27. For every 24 hours that your assignment is late, 15 points are automatically deducted; I will not accept papers submitted more than 3 days late. This assignment is worth 5% of your grade.
You must proof-read your paper. If there are spelling/grammatical errors, or I cannot understand what you are trying to say, points will be deducted in accordance with severity. Said another way, I can’t tell if you understand these concepts if I cannot understand your writing. Make sure that you are conveying to me that you understand the material!
Please double-check that your file actually uploaded and that it is viewable. I will count corrupt/un-openable files as late, and therefore they will be subject to point deductions as listed above. Also, please limit your assignment to ONLY 2 theories. If you write about all 3 theories, I will only grade the first one discussed between the OPT and Hedonic Dysregulation Theory. If you write about both the OPT and Hedonic Dysregulation theory and not the Incentive Sensitization Theory, you will not receive any credit for the second theory.
CORE FEATURES TO BE DISCUSSED IN EACH THEORY:
1. OPT: A & B Processes – Explanation/what are they, How they change with use, Role in maintaining use and/or leading to relapse; Role of drug-related cues; Role of homeostasis; Overall, why are we likely to keep using?
2. Hedonic Dysregulation: A & B Processes – Explanation/what are they, How they change with use, Role in maintaining use and/or leading to relapse; Role of drug-related cues; Role of allostasis; Overall, why are we likely to keep using?
3. Incentive Sensitization: Motivational circuitry; Sensitization of Motivational circuitry (what that means, how it occurs, what happens when it occurs); Role of incentive salience & explanation; Role of dopamine; Role of drug-related cues; Overall, why are we likely to keep using?For this assignment, I would like you to watch the following very brief (~5 minute) video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUngLgGRJpo Links to an external site.
In this video, you will see a cartoon bird that continues to eat a golden nugget. Some people have noted that the bird’s behavior in this cartoon mimics the addiction/compulsive drug use process. What I would like you to do is to think about how each of the 3 biopsychological theories we will discuss in class (Opponent Process Theory, Hedonic Dysregulation Theory, Incentive Sensitization Theory) is depicted by the behavior and outcomes demonstrated by the bird in this video. In this writing assignment, you are to apply two of the theories to the bird’s behavior. Specifically, you are to write on 1) your choice of either the Opponent Process Theory or the Hedonic Dysregulation Theory, and 2) the Incentive Sensitization Theory. The purpose of this assignment is to force you to think about and work within these models, as they are some of the most difficult concepts this semester. To be clear, everyone must write on the Incentive Sensitization Theory, and otherwise you have your choice between Opponent Process Theory and Hedonic Dysregulation Theory.
In your paper, you should 1) explain how each theory works to explain compulsive drug use, and 2) specifically apply that theory to the bird’s behavior in the video. Please note that every aspect of each theory will not be depicted in this video. It is your job to first comprehensively explain the theory (outside the context of the bird), and then to describe the aspects of the theory depicted in the bird’s behavior. It is fine if you feel like you need to speculate a bit, so long as you’re appropriately applying it to the theory.
There is not a page limit on this assignment, though I expect that most papers will be about 3 pages (double-spaced). As a note, if your paper is much shorter than 2 pages, you probably have not provided enough detail or information. On the other hand, if your paper is longer than 5 pages, you probably either include unnecessary information, or are not clearly/concisely describing information. In either of those cases, I would strongly recommend that you go back to see how you can improve your assignment. Please use Times New Roman size 12 font and double-space your assignment. Please upload your assignment as a Microsoft Word file (doc, docx).
As mentioned, these models of addiction are challenging to understand. I do not expect that you will be able to explain them in the same level of detail as I did in lecture. However, I do expect you to describe all of the core features of each theory that I discussed in class to explain compulsive drug use (as explained in lecture) to the best of your ability (see below for more info). Grossly inaccurate or incomplete explanations will result in major point deductions. Expect that you may need to spend more time working on this paper than you might otherwise plan for (given that it’s a relatively short assignment). If you feel like you are fully lacking in understanding of these models, please reach out to me or the TAs for help, sooner rather than later! While I will not read over full assignments ahead of time, I am happy to answer specific questions regarding your understanding of the concepts.
Your paper is due by 11:59pm on Monday 2/27. For every 24 hours that your assignment is late, 15 points are automatically deducted; I will not accept papers submitted more than 3 days late. This assignment is worth 5% of your grade.
You must proof-read your paper. If there are spelling/grammatical errors, or I cannot understand what you are trying to say, points will be deducted in accordance with severity. Said another way, I can’t tell if you understand these concepts if I cannot understand your writing. Make sure that you are conveying to me that you understand the material!
Please double-check that your file actually uploaded and that it is viewable. I will count corrupt/un-openable files as late, and therefore they will be subject to point deductions as listed above. Also, please limit your assignment to ONLY 2 theories. If you write about all 3 theories, I will only grade the first one discussed between the OPT and Hedonic Dysregulation Theory. If you write about both the OPT and Hedonic Dysregulation theory and not the Incentive Sensitization Theory, you will not receive any credit for the second theory.
CORE FEATURES TO BE DISCUSSED IN EACH THEORY:
1. OPT: A & B Processes – Explanation/what are they, How they change with use, Role in maintaining use and/or leading to relapse; Role of drug-related cues; Role of homeostasis; Overall, why are we likely to keep using?
2. Hedonic Dysregulation: A & B Processes – Explanation/what are they, How they change with use, Role in maintaining use and/or leading to relapse; Role of drug-related cues; Role of allostasis; Overall, why are we likely to keep using?
3. Incentive Sensitization: Motivational circuitry; Sensitization of Motivational circuitry (what that means, how it occurs, what happens when it occurs); Role of incentive salience & explanation; Role of dopamine; Role of drug-related cues; Overall, why are we likely to keep using?
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