Describe the causes of impulse control disorders and non-substance addictive disorder.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2021). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [0] (a) Causes of impulse control disorders and non-substance addictive disorder including the following – Biochemical: dopamine Behavioural: positive reinforcement Cognitive: feeling-state theory (Miller, 2010).
2. [0] (a) Biochemical – dopamine The neurotransmitter dopamine has been linked to impulse control and addictive disorders. Dopamine’s release is triggered by rewarding stimuli, such as engaging in pleasurable behaviours. So a pyromaniac will feel the reward of this ‘happy chemical’ when they start a fire. As the behaviour increases, levels of dopamine in striatum are reduced. This can lead to the perpetuation of the compulsions/addictions. Known as ‘reward deficiency syndrome’.
3. [0] (a) Behavioural – positive reinforcement Operant conditioning states that the frequency of a behaviour is increased by the use of a reward. For the gambler this can be money (for the kleptomaniac and pyromaniac the thrill associated with their behaviours). Positive reinforcement explains gambling well by the use of schedules of reinforcement with the use of partial positive reinforcement (a reward is not received every time). Gambler is compelled to continue because they ‘might’ win the next time.
4. [0] (a) Cognitive - feeling-state theory (Miller, 2010) Intense positive feelings link with specific behaviours such as gambling. Impulse control disorders are caused because these links form a ‘state-dependent memory’ (feeling state). The intense feeling-state experienced is all the emotions, thoughts and physiological arousal, and this leads to impulse-control problems and obsessions. The individual with negative thoughts about themselves can experience an intense feeling of euphoria and power when they indulge in their impulsive behaviour, overcoming that negative thought to a great extent.
5. [0] (a) Mark according to the levels of response descriptors in Table A.
6. [0] (a) Other appropriate responses should also be credited.
7. [0] (b) A range of issues could be used for evaluation here. These include: • Named issue - nature versus nurture - Behavioural is due to nurture as the person with impulse control disorder learns the disorder through rewards, Biological – dopamine could be due to nature (person is born with a stronger dopamine response) or nurture (patient learns the behaviour due to the dopamine release). Feeling state is mainly nurture as the patient develops the feeling state due to their experiences of the behaviour they have developed impulsive behaviour around (e.g. gambling)
8. [0] (b) Example analysis – If something is due to nature the person cannot alter this so therefore it could be argued the behaviour cannot be changed. However, modern medicine has created medications that alter our biochemistry. If something is due to nurture then the environment can be improved so that the rewarding experiences no longer happen (e.g. gambling websites could be prevented from giving such high maximum payments) and therefore the behaviour could either not be learned in the first place or someone being treated might find it easier to stop doing their impulsive behaviour.
9. [0] (b) Deterministic nature of the causes
10. [0] (b) Practical applications
11. [0] (b) Evaluation of evidence of causes
12. [0] (b) Generalisability of the explanation to all types of impulse control disorders and non-substances.
13. [0] (b) Mark according to the levels of response descriptors in Table B.
14. [0] (b) Other appropriate responses should also be credited.