The Cognitive Underpinnings of Addiction

Abstract

A new conditional reasoning measure was developed to evaluate the role of implicit biases in perpetuating addictive behavior. Data (N = 669) were collected in 2005 from two samples in a suburban area: individuals with a known history of chemical dependency and individuals from the general population. Results indicated a strong correlation between overall test scores and group membership (r(pb) = .48), which increased when the groups' demographic characteristics were equalized (r(pb) = .65). Overall, findings suggest that addiction-prone individuals rely on a distinct set of cognitive biases that rationalize self-destructive behavior. The study's limitations are noted and implications and directions for future research are discussed.

Evaluating the fakability of a conditional reasoning test of addiction proneness

“…The development of CR‐based methodology permits sensitive constructs such as addiction or aggression to be objectively assessed (e.g., Bowler, Bowler, & James, ; James, ). Whereas self‐report measures ask individuals to respond to a series of descriptive statements, CR‐based measures ask respondents to select the most logical answers to a series of reasoning problems.…”

“…Recent research suggests that addiction‐prone individuals use specific JMs to justify their preferred behaviours (Bowler et al, ). Implicit cognitions profoundly influence critical reasoning processes, and the rationalizations that appeal to addiction‐prone individuals qualitatively differ from those that appeal to non‐addiction‐prone individuals.…”

“…To date, five JMs for addiction proneness have been identified (Bowler et al, ), each of which may shape an addiction‐prone individual's interpretations of and reactions to situations by distorting perceptual, information‐seeking and reasoning processes. Evasion of discomfort bias justifies activities that distort reality and neutralize apprehension.…”

“…Utilizing CR methodology (James, ; James & LeBreton, ), the Conditional Reasoning Test of Addiction Proneness (CRT‐AP) was developed to assess implicit cognitions that justify addictive behaviour (Bowler et al, ). Each item includes an inductive reasoning problem followed by four possible response choices (one addiction‐prone, one non‐addiction‐prone and two illogical responses).…”

German-Language Version of the Compensatory Health Belief Scale

“…Hence, they resort to various coping methods such as attempts to resist the desire or, alternatively, reevaluation of the harmfulness of the behavior (cf. Bowler, Bowler, & James, 2011;Festinger, 1957;Trope & Fishbach, 2000). Another coping strategy to overcome that cognitive dissonance is proposed by the compensatory health belief model referred to as compensatory health beliefs (CHBs; Rabiau, Knäuper, & Miquelon, 2006).…”