Question 112 marks
Question
(a) Explain what is meant by ‘kleptomania’. [2] (b) Outline two of the components that Griffiths (2005) used to define addiction. [4] (c) Explain one strength and one weakness of the definition of addiction proposed by Griffiths. [6]
Mark scheme
1(a) Explain what is meant by ‘kleptomania’. 2 Award 1 mark for a basic explanation of the term/concept. Award 2 marks for a detailed explanation of the term/concept. For example: Kleptomania is a non-substance addictive disorder in which the person concerned cannot resist the impulse to steal objects (1). The objects are not needed for personal use and they are not stolen because of their monetary value (1). Kleptomaniacs may feel tension or anxiety before the act of stealing and pleasure/gratification after the theft (1). Other appropriate responses should also be credited 1(b) Outline two of the components that Griffiths (2005) used to define 4 addiction. For each component: Award 1 marks for a basic answer with some understanding of the topic area e.g. naming the component. Award 2 marks for a detailed answer with clear understanding of the topic area. • Salience – the activity (e.g. gambling, pyromania) becomes the most important thing to the individual. They think about it all the time even when not engaged in it. This can be experienced as a ‘craving’ • Mood modification – the activity has the subjective experience of altering the person’s mood. This could be a ‘buzz’ or a ‘high’, ‘euphoria’, or paradoxically it can be tranquilising with an ‘escape’ or ‘numbing’. This can be for the same substance/activity • Tolerance – the process whereby increasing amounts of a particular activity are required to achieve the effects from before e.g. a gambler increasing their bet or spending longer periods of time in gambling • Withdrawal symptoms – The unpleasant feeling and/or physical effects occurring when the activity is reduced suddenly or stopped. This can be seen as irritability or physical (e.g. insomnia, headaches) • Conflict – this can be between the addict and those around them (interpersonal conflict) or within the individual themselves (intrapsychic conflict). This can result in compromising relationships, work or social activities. Intrapsychic conflict can be experienced by the individual as a ‘loss of control’ • Relapse – the tendency for repeatedly returning to the addictive behaviour even after a long period of abstinence or control Other appropriate responses should also be credited. 1(c) Explain one strength and one weakness of the definition of addiction 6 proposed by Griffiths. Likely strengths include: • Comprehensive definition with objective criteria. This makes it pretty clear whether or not an individual is an addict as they have to exhibit all 6 components. This can help with diagnosis • Individuals (and their families/colleagues) having knowledge of these components can even self-diagnose putting them in a position to acknowledge their problem and seek help • Clear diagnosis using these 6 components can lead to appropriate treatment or modification techniques and also ability to recognise when relapse has occurred • By classifying all addictions in the same way, whether substance or non-substance, the essential elements of what constitutes addiction can be better researched • There is a growing body of research that points to the similarities present in all addictions, whether pyromania, exercise, overeating, gambling, smoking or taking drugs. This model supports that Likely weaknesses include: • Possible lack of validity / individual differences. Someone engaging in a potentially addictive behaviour may not have experienced all of the components (e.g. relapse, as they have not yet tried to reduce the behaviour) but this would not necessarily mean they are not an addict • Components rely partly on the subjective experience of the individual who may still not wish to recognise their addiction and so deny, for example, that they need to do more and more to get their ‘fix’, potentially limiting treatment • It does not explain why someone becomes addicted and another person does not. Why, for example, might one person play a slot machine for 30 minutes one day (experiencing the ‘high’) and not do so again for years, but another person with the same experience finds themselves thinking about it all the time • Many would argue that to describe non-substance addiction in the same way as substance addiction is incorrect because there has to be a physiological aspect to withdrawal and this does not occur without a substance Mark according to the levels of response criteria below: Level 3 (5–6 marks) • Candidates will show a clear understanding of the question and will explain one strength and one weakness. • Candidates will provide a good explanation with clear detail. Level 2 (3–4 marks) • Candidates will show an understanding of the question and will explain one appropriate weakness in detail or one appropriate strength in detail. OR • one weakness and one strength in less detail. 1(c) Level 1 (1–2 marks) • Candidates will show a basic understanding of the question and will attempt an explanation of either a strength or a weakness. They could include both but just as an attempt. • Candidates will provide a limited explanation. Level 0 (0 marks) No response worthy of credit. Other appropriate responses should also be credited.