Individual Differences In Addictive Behaviors

The study of addiction draws primarily on methods and approaches to understanding, treating and supporting addiction drawn from traditional approaches. The foundations of which focus on responses seen across groups, but often neglecting to account for the role the individual differences plays in understanding and treating addiction. It is clear from the literature that there is often a lack of consensus in both understanding and treating those struggling with addiction. Individual differences therefore, whilst not always conforming to the accepted model for developing theoretical interpretations and practice in the field, are key to successful outcomes in treating addiction.

Personality, psychopathology and emotional factors are intimately related to smoking, yet there are few efforts to integrate relevant findings in these areas. Taking a comprehensive, current and detailed view, this text develops an empirically-based model that reflects the multi-dimensional, individual-difference-related causal paths associated with smoking and its reinforcing and affect-modulating effects.; Starting with a review of models of smoking motivation, this volume then goes on to discuss effect and emotion, and the nature, biological bias and relationships among personality, temperament and psychopathology. Other chapters focus attention on questions of when, in whom and what mechanisms promote and reinforce smoking and tobacco use such as gender differences. Utilising the findings of these chapters, the integrative biopsychosocial STAR Model Of Smoking Effects And Motivation Is Presented And Its Implications are examined.; As the percentage of smokers in the general population decreases, a growing number of those continuing to smoke will be even more difficult to reach. Such individuals will benefit from the individualised and intensive interventions suggested here. This text is intended to be of use to psychologists, psychiatrists, physicians, epidemiologists, sociologists and other health professionals.

Males and females exhibit discrete attitudes and skills, experience dissimilar emotional and psychological needs, and react differently to peer pressure, lack of self-realization, or other personal and social expectations. In addition, they are differently influenced by family history, and diverge in the perception of self-image and health risks. To complicate the matter on gender dichotomy, male testosterone levels markedly vary over the course of the day, while female levels of sex hormones significantly fluctuate depending upon the menstrual cycle, the pre- or post-menopausal age, and the use of oral contraceptives. All of these factors interact with genetic background and sex hormonal fluctuations, and determine the differences observed in their predisposition to develop an addiction. This term is traditionally associated to the abuse of legal and illegal substances. However, a compulsion toward the engagement in a non-drug-related rewarding behavior, usually involving a natural reward, also activates the brain reward system and engenders persistent behavior, thus resulting in a diminished control over it. These latter behaviors are defined as “behavioral addictions”. This definition encompasses any behavior characterized by the followings: i) feeling of tension or arousal before the action; ii) gratification and/or relief at the time of performing the act; iii) inability to resist an urge or drive even against great obstacles or dangers; iv) absence of consideration for the negative consequences that may affect family, friends, and/or work. As such, behavioral addictions include compulsive food intake and sexual activity, pathological gambling and Internet addiction, excessive exercising, compulsive buying and pyromania. These behaviors, which are often classified as "impulse control disorders", result in actions that are harmful to oneself and/or others, share common features (e.g. compulsiveness, impulsivity, impaired decision-making, craving, tolerance, withdrawal, high rates of relapse), and involve dysfunction of several brain circuits. Derangement from functional neurobiological mechanisms underpinning both sensitivity to reward and inhibitory control can also lead to compulsive behaviors. For instance, pathological gambling and other impulse control disorders (e.g., hypersexuality, compulsive painting, eating and buying) are often reported in Parkinson's disease patients. Gender-dependent differences in the rate of initiation and frequency of misuse of addicting drugs have been widely described. Yet, men and women also differ in their propensity to become addicted to other rewarding stimuli (e.g. sex, food) or activities (e.g. gambling, exercising). The goal of the present Research Topic is to explore and summarize current evidence for gender (and sex) differences not only in drug addiction, but also in other forms of addictive behaviors. Thus, it will include studies showing gender-dependent differences in drug addiction, food addiction, compulsive sexual activity, pathological gambling, Internet addiction and physical exercise addiction. Psychiatric comorbidity, potential risk factors and the underlying neural mechanisms will be also examined, with particular emphasis to the role of sex hormones in modulating addictive and compulsive behaviors.

A mood is defined as the prevailing psychological state (habitual or relatively temporary). It is further defined as a feeling, state or prolonged emotion that influences the whole of one's psychic life. It can relate to passion or feeling; humour; as a melancholy mood or a suppliant mood. Mood can and does affect perceived health, personal confidence, one's perceptions of the world around us and our actions based on those perceptions. Moods can and do change often although mood swings of a sharp nature may be a symptom of underlying disease. Moods may signify happiness, anger, tension, or anxiety. Chronic periods of any mood state may be an indicator of a disorder as well. This new book gathers important research from throughout the world in this rapidly changing field.

The Encyclopedia of Personality and Individual Differences (EPID) beschäftigt sich in vier Bänden mit Gemeinsamkeiten und Unterschieden bei Individuen. Jeder Band konzentriert sich auf einen wichtigen Themenbereich bei der Untersuchung der Persönlichkeitspsychologie und den Unterschieden von Individuen. Der erste Band mit dem Titel Models and Theories betrachtet die wichtigsten klassischen und modernen Standpunkte, Perspektiven, Modelle und theoretischen Ansätze im Studium der Persönlichkeit und Unterschiede von Individuen. Der zweite Band, Measurement and Assessment, untersucht die wesentlichen klassischen und modernen Beurteilungsmethoden und -techniken. Der dritte Band mit dem Titel Personality Processes and Individual Differences erläutert die traditionellen und aktuellen Dimensionen, Konstrukte und Merkmale der Studienrichtung. Im vierten Band werden drei Hauptkategorien behandelt: klinische Zuarbeit, angewandte Forschung und interkulturelle Betrachtungen. Darüber hinaus werden Themen wie Kultur und Identität, multikulturelle Identitäten, interkulturelle Untersuchungen von Merkmalsstrukturen und Personalitätsprozesses u. v. m. behandelt. - Jeder Band enthält rund 100 Einträge zu Personalität und individuellen Unterschieden. Die Beiträge stammen von international führenden Psychologen. - Beschäftigt sich mit wichtigen klassischen und zeitgenössischen Modellen und Theorien der Persönlichkeitspsychologie, mit Mess- und Beurteilungsverfahren, Personalitätsprozessen und Unterschieden bei Individuen sowie mit Forschungsansätzen. - Bietet einen umfassenden und ausführlichen Überblick über die Persönlichkeitspsychologie. - The Encyclopedia of Personality and Individual Differences ist ein wichtiges Referenzwerk für Studenten der Psychologie und Fachexperten, die sich mit der Untersuchung und Erforschung von Persönlichkeit beschäftigen.

Volume 4, Clinical, Applied, and Cross-Cultural Research of The Wiley Encyclopedia of Personality and Individual Differences The Encyclopedia of Personality and Individual Differences (EPID) is organized into four volumes that look at the many likenesses and differences between individuals. Each of these four volumes focuses on a major content area in the study of personality psychology and individuals' differences. The first volume, Models and Theories, surveys the significant classic and contemporary viewpoints, perspectives, models, and theoretical approaches to the study of personality and individuals' differences (PID). The second volume on Measurement and Assessment examines key classic and modern methods and techniques of assessment in the study of PID. Volume III, titled Personality Processes and Individuals Differences, covers the important traditional and current dimensions, constructs, and traits in the study of PID. The final volume discusses three major categories: clinical contributions, applied research, and cross-cultural considerations, and touches on topics such as culture and identity, multicultural identities, cross-cultural examinations of trait structures and personality processes, and more. Each volume contains approximately 100 entries on personality and individual differences written by a diverse international panel of leading psychologists Covers significant classic and contemporary personality psychology models and theories, measurement and assessment techniques, personality processes and individuals differences, and research Provides a comprehensive and in-depth overview of the field of personality psychology The Encyclopedia of Personality and Individual Differences is an important resource for all psychology students and professionals engaging in the study and research of personality.

Provides a platform of ideas from which new directions for research in the behavioral etiology of substance abuse can be developed. Researchers from a variety of neurobiological disciplines present proposals on innovative ways to study and understand individual differences in neurobiological risk and resistance factors for drug abuse. The focus of these proposals is in three areas: genetic bases, neurophysiological correlates, and neurochemical factors underlying drug abuse risk or resistance. Tables, graphs and references.

Personality and Individual Differences is a state-of-the-art undergraduate textbook that covers the salient and recent literature on personality, intellectual ability, motivation and other individual differences such as creativity, emotional intelligence, leadership and vocational interests. This third edition has been completely revised and updated to include the most up-to-date and cutting-edge data and analysis. As well as introducing all topics related to individual differences, this book examines and discusses many important underlying issues, such as the psychodynamic approach to latent variables, validity, reliability and correlations between constructs. An essential textbook for first-time as well as more advanced students of the discipline, Personality and Individual Differences provides grounding in all major aspects of differential psychology.