AQA · A-Level · Psychology

    Course version: 7182-2025 · Exams from 2027

    Risk factors in the development of addiction, including genetic…

    Full specification wording

    Addiction: Risk factors in the development of addiction, including genetic vulnerability, personality and social influences.

    The development of addiction is rarely caused by a single trigger; rather, it emerges from interacting risk factors.

    Checked against the AQA 7182-2025 specification (opens in a new tab) on .

    • Point 2 of 6
    • 4 key terms

    Study notes

    From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    The idea

    The development of addiction is rarely caused by a single trigger; rather, it emerges from interacting risk factors. Genetic vulnerability suggests individuals inherit a predisposition, such as possessing the A1 variant of the DRD2 gene, which reduces dopamine receptor density and drives compensatory substance use. Personality traits also elevate risk; for instance, high levels of neuroticism or impulsivity can lead individuals to self-medicate or engage in risky behaviours. Furthermore, social influences play a critical role through mechanisms like social learning. If an adolescent observes peers or family members receiving social rewards for smoking, they may imitate this behaviour, increasing their likelihood of developing an addiction.

    What earns the marks

    • Explain genetic vulnerability using specific mechanisms, such as inherited variations in dopamine receptor genes (e.g., DRD2).
    • Describe how personality traits, particularly impulsivity and neuroticism, correlate with higher rates of substance misuse.
    • Outline social influences, distinguishing between peer pressure (normative social influence) and family influences (observational learning).
    • Evaluate the interaction of these risk factors using the diathesis-stress model, noting that genetics alone do not guarantee addiction.

    Common mistakes and how to put them right

    • Claiming there is a single 'addiction gene'.

      Put it right: Explain that genetic vulnerability involves multiple genes (polygenic) interacting with environmental triggers.

    • Confusing peer pressure with family influences.

      Put it right: Clearly separate peer conformity from parental modelling and perceived parental approval.

    • Assuming personality traits cause addiction directly.

      Put it right: State that personality traits are correlational risk factors, not deterministic causes.

    Exam tips

    • Use the diathesis-stress model as a synoptic evaluation point to explain how genetic vulnerability interacts with social influences.
    • When discussing personality, explicitly name traits like impulsivity or antisocial personality disorder rather than just saying 'a bad personality'.
    • Support your explanation of social influences with psychological concepts like vicarious reinforcement or normative social influence.

    Try the lesson

    The start of the Addiction: Risk factors in the development of addiction, including genetic vulnerability, personality and social influences. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    Have a go first

    Which personality trait is most consistently identified by researchers as a significant risk factor for the development of addiction?

    Listen

    The development of addiction is rarely caused by a single trigger; rather, it emerges from interacting risk factors. Genetic vulnerability suggests individuals inherit a predisposition, such as possessing the A1 variant of the DRD2 gene, which reduces dopamine receptor density and drives compensatory substance use. Personality traits also elevate risk; for instance, high levels of neuroticism or impulsivity can lead individuals to self-medicate or engage in risky behaviours. Furthermore, social influences play a critical role through mechanisms like social learning. If an adolescent observes peers or family members receiving social rewards for smoking, they may imitate this behaviour, increasing their likelihood of developing an addiction. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explain genetic vulnerability using specific mechanisms, such as inherited variations in dopamine receptor genes (e.g., DRD2). Describe how personality traits, particularly impulsivity and neuroticism, correlate with higher rates of substance misuse. Outline social influences, distinguishing between peer pressure (normative social influence) and family influences (observational learning). Evaluate the interaction of these risk factors using the diathesis-stress model, noting that genetics alone do not guarantee addiction. A common slip: Claiming there is a single 'addiction gene'. Instead, Explain that genetic vulnerability involves multiple genes (polygenic) interacting with environmental triggers. Exam tip: Use the diathesis-stress model as a synoptic evaluation point to explain how genetic vulnerability interacts with social influences.

    See it

    A top-down flowchart. The top node, 'Risk factors in addiction', branches into three nodes: 'Genetic vulnerability', 'Personality' and 'Social influences'. 'Genetic vulnerability' leads to 'Inherited predisposition, e.g. A1 variant of DRD2', which leads to 'Compensatory substance use'. 'Personality' leads to 'High neuroticism or impulsivity', which leads to 'Self-medication or risky behaviour'. 'Social influences' leads to 'Social learning from peers or family', which leads to 'Imitation of observed behaviour'. All three of these final nodes — 'Compensatory substance use', 'Self-medication or risky behaviour' and 'Imitation of observed behaviour' — converge on a single bottom node, 'Increased likelihood of addiction'.
    It shows three interacting risk factors for addiction — genetic vulnerability, personality and social influences — and how each contributes to an increased likelihood of addiction.

    Key words

    Say what each word means before you turn the card.

    Genetic vulnerability

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    Personality traits

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    Social influences

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    Diathesis-stress model

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    See every definition
    Genetic vulnerability
    Inheriting a predisposition to addiction, such as possessing the A1 variant of the DRD2 gene, which reduces dopamine receptor density and drives compensatory substance use.
    Personality traits
    Characteristics such as high levels of neuroticism or impulsivity that can lead individuals to self-medicate or engage in risky behaviours.
    Social influences
    Mechanisms such as social learning, where observing peers or family members receiving social rewards for smoking may lead an adolescent to imitate this behaviour.
    Diathesis-stress model
    A model used to explain how genetic vulnerability interacts with social influences, noting that genetics alone do not guarantee addiction.

    Label the diagram

    Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.

    The diagram again, with 3 boxes numbered instead of named. A top-down flowchart. The top node, 'Risk factors in addiction', branches into three nodes: 'Genetic vulnerability', 'Personality' and 'Social influences'. 'Genetic vulnerability' leads to 'Inherited predisposition, e.g. A1 variant of DRD2', which leads to 'Compensatory substance use'. 'Personality' leads to 'High neuroticism or impulsivity', which leads to 'Self-medication or risky behaviour'. 'Social influences' leads to 'Social learning from peers or family', which leads to 'Imitation of observed behaviour'. All three of these final nodes — 'Compensatory substance use', 'Self-medication or risky behaviour' and 'Imitation of observed behaviour' — converge on a single bottom node, 'Increased likelihood of addiction'.

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