An opponent-process theory of motivation: II. Cigarette addiction.

Abstract

Presents 6 examples of affective, hedonic, or motivational phenomena based on behavioral, experimental, and observational studies. The behavioral, EKG, and emotional responses of dogs in Pavlov harnesses receiving shocks, parachutists, opiate addicts, and lovers show changes over time. During the 1st few stimulations, when the input is present (State A), the organism expresses one reaction (e.g., terror or pleasure); when the input is gone, the organism expresses a different reaction (State B-e.g., caution or loneliness) which more or less slowly dissipates to the base-line state. After repeated stimulations, the reaction during input (State A‘) is substantially reduced (e.g., tenseness and contentment) while that after input (State B’) increases (e.g, joy and grief). An opponent-process control for affect model is proposed to explain these findings. A CNS feedback loop is postulated which serves to oppose stimulus-aroused, affective states. The application of this model to addiction, particularly nicotine, research is discussed. The failure of smoking control programs is explained in terms of the model. It is suggested that no quick cure for addiction will be found until both opponent processes can be simultaneously suppressed (e.g., through drugs). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)

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Affiliated Institutions

• University of Pennsylvania US

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