| CODE | PSY3159 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Addictive Behaviour | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 6 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Psychology | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit explores the construct of addiction and gives an introduction to the complexity of understanding the phenomenon. A major theme throughout the unit is the proposal that the term 'addictive behaviour' may be applied to a wide range of behaviour. This is in line with new developments and in accordance with the proposed DSM 5 which will come into effect in 2013. In the recent past the term 'addict' has been reserved for those who overindulged in certain behaviours with apparent associated loss of control and could most readily be applied to substance use. With the rise of social-psychological models of addiction, the emphasis on the biological element has been reduced and cultural, social and psychological factors are seen to have an important role to play. This allows for the inclusion of non substance based behaviours as addictions. This study-unit explores the contribution of psychology to the understanding, prevention and intervention with people experiencing addictive difficulties and considers policy implications. Study-unit Aims: The study-unit will range from the purely descriptive, focusing on the terminology used, to the more theoretical (different perspectives on addiction), to prevention and intervention. This study-unit will also draw upon developments in the understanding of substance use to inform thinking and practice relating to non- substance based addictions. The issue of substance use will also be given considerable attention. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - critically analyse the construct of addiction; - demonstrate insight into contemporary debates and issues surrounding the nature of addictive behaviour; - demonstrate a knowledge of the terminology utilised in the study of addictive behaviour; - demonstrate knowledge of the theoretical perspectives on addiction; - evaluate approaches to intervention and prevention. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - recognise what constitutes addictive behavior; - recognise the levels of addiction; - apply knowledge to intervention settings; - apply knowledge to research and policy settings. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: - Orford, J. (2001). Excessive appetites: a psychological view of addictions . NY: John Wiley and Sons - Peele, S. (1998). The meaning of addiction: an unconventional view. CA: Jossey-Bass Supplementary readings: - Baer, J., Marlatt, G. & McMahon, R. (Eds) (1993). Addictive behaviours across the lifespan: prevention, treatment and policy issues. London: Sage. - Clark, M. (2002) ‘Drug Abuse and Criminal Careers: An investigation into the Relationship between Abuse, Addiction and Criminality’. In Bell, A. & Arpa, S. (eds) Euro Med Networking in Substance Abuse Prevention Vol 2 (41-63) sedqa: Malta. - Clark, M. & Calleja, K. (2008) Shopping Addiction: a preliminary study among Maltese university students Addiction Research and Theory 16(6): 633–649. - Clark, M. (2010) Drugs and Alcohol in Relation to Crime and Victimisation. In Shoham, S., Knepper, & P. Kett, M. (eds) International Handbook of Victimology (251-281) FL:Taylor and Francis. - Clark, M. (2011) Conceptualising Addiction: How Useful is the Construct? International Journal of Humanities and Social Science 1 ( 13) [Special Issue – September 2011]: 55 – 64. - Ghodse, H. (1989). Drugs and addictive behaviour: a guide to treatment. London: Blackwell Scientific Publications. - Stewart, T. (1987). The heroin users. London: Harper Collins. - Walters, D. (1994). Drugs and crime in lifestyle perspective. London: Sage. - Walters, D. (2002). The addiction concept: working hypothesis or self fulfilling prophesy. NY: Pearson, Allyn and Bacon. |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | This study unit is only available to BPsy students | ||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Marilyn Clark |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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