Investigating addiction - for iPod/iPhone
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What makes some people develop an addiction while others don't? Could genes or social environment influence addictive behaviours? In this album, scientists in the US and the UK explore the psychology and biology of addiction by subjecting a recovering alcoholic and his sister, a non-addict, to a range of physiological, psychological and genetic studies. The results raise interesting questions about brain patterns underlying addictions, and how addiction should be treated. This material forms part of The Open University course SD805 Issues in brain and behaviour.
Physiological aspects of addictions
A look at what can happen to our brain if we become addicted and a discussion of the long term effects.
The addiction files
Brian is an alcoholic on a journey to find out why he became an addict.
Social influences on addiction
Brian's social experiences are very different to that of his sister, Ann. Could that be a reason for his addiction?
Psychological influences on addiction
Brian and Ann are assessed by psychologists to see whether addicts have different thought processes to non-addicts.
The genetic dimension of addiction
How scientists are studying genetics to try to track down the 'addiction' gene.