Theories of Motivation and Addiction

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer discusses that addictive behavior is a process that is initiated by certain motivational factors and causative features. The writer maintains that the use of psychological theories to describe and analyze these motivational patterns of behavior is essential in order to understand and create preventative strategies to combat addiction. In this essay, various theories of motivation are used to explain the addictive syndrome. These include cognitive and behavioral theories as well as socio-psychological and other theoretical stances. The pleasure principle and motivation towards fulfillment and self-efficacy and the search for excitement are also dealt with in relation to disinhibition theories of motivation. These are discussed to provide a clear and integrated overview of the central motivational theories that lead to and maintain addictive behavior. The writer concludes that the various theories of motivation are important points of departure in the alleviation and the reduction of the negative outcomes of addictive behavior in society.

Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
Overview of the Motivational Theories and Addiction
Sensation and Experience Seeking
Opponent Processes
Developmental Theories
Summation and Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Motivation is one of the complex aspects of our psychological makeup. The reason why we do certain things and the causative factors that influence human behavior and actions are often seemingly mysterious and even irrational. Various theories of motivation can be applied to views of addictive behavior, and especially to harmful and potentially deadly addictions such as some forms of drug abuse.
"Drug addiction and abuse has a long and complex history in human society with regard to individual and social developments and actions. Drugs and their effects on the mind and consciousness states of experience can be traced back to the origins of human history."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Ammerman, R. T., Ott, P. J., & Tarter, R. E. (Eds.). (1999). Prevention and Societal Impact of Drug and Alcohol Abuse. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Retrieved December 6, 2007, from Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=57300683
• Barkley, J. M. (2006). Reading Education: Is Self-Efficacy Important?. Reading Improvement, 43(4), 194+.
• Bandura A. Self-Efficacy. Stanford University. Retrieved December 2, 2007, from http://www.des.emory.edu/mfp/BanEncy.html
• Bozarth M.A. (1990). Drug addiction as a psychobiological process. In D.M. Warburton (Ed.), Addiction controversies (pp. 112-134 + refs). London: Harwood Academic Publishers.
• Changeux, J. (1998). Drug Use and Abuse. Daedalus, 127(2), 145+.

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