expectancies, and social factors, such as parental and peer group behaviour), to cessation
(involving clinical perspectives, self-help methods and public health interventions)
or relapse. Finally, this chapter examined the interrelationship between different
behaviours, in particular smoking and eating, to examine the validity of a cross-
behavioural perspective.ASSUMPTIONS IN HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY
The research on smoking and alcohol highlights some of the assumptions in health
psychology:1 Mind–body dualism. Theories of addictions and addictive behaviour emphasize
either the psychological or physiological processes. This separation is reflected in
the differences between the disease models and the social learning perspectives.
Therefore, although some of the treatment perspectives emphasize both mind
(e.g. cue exposure) and body (e.g. nicotine replacement), they are still seen as distinct
components of the individual.
2 Changes in theory represents improvement. It is often assumed that the most
recent theoretical perspective is an improvement of previous theories. In terms of
addictive behaviours, the moral model is seen as more naïve than the disease model,
which is more naïve than a social learning theory perspective. However, perhaps
these different models also illustrate different (and not necessarily better) ways of
explaining behaviour and of describing the individual. Therefore, to see an individual
who drinks a great deal as to blame and as being responsible for his or her behaviour
(the moral model) reflects a different model of the individual than an explanation? QUESTIONS
1 Is alcoholism a disease?
2 Discuss the role of conditioning in the acquisition of an addictive behaviour.
3 Smoking is an addiction to nicotine. Discuss.
4 Discuss the role of health beliefs in the initiation of smoking behaviour.
5 Discuss the role of clinical and public health interventions in promoting smoking
cessation.
6 To what extent are addictions governed by similar processes?
7 Outline a research project designed to evaluate the effect of role models on
smoking.FOR DISCUSSION
Have you ever tried a puff of a cigarette? If so, consider the reasons why you did
or did not become a smoker. If you have never even tried a cigarette, discuss the
possible reasons for this.130 HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY