Chapter 3:  Theories of Drug Use

1. One of the earliest approaches to explaining human behavior was demonology? What is demonology?
2. How do sociological theories differ from psychological and biological theories in their focus?
3. What are the names of the two biological theories? Explain a little about each one. Which theory is supported by more scientific evidence?
4. According to the study mentioned in the text, what proportion of children of alcoholics become alcoholics compared to the rate for the general population?  According to the study mentioned in the text, how are sons and daughters of alcoholics different from other drinkers whose parents are nonalcohics?
5. What are the two types of narcotic addicts? 
6. Name the three general categories of psychological theories.
7. According to the inadequate personality theory, people who tend to abuse drugs do it to for what reason?
8. According to the self-derogation perspective why do people use drugs.  Does recent research back up this theory?
9. According to the problem-behavior proneness theory, social psychologists have found that drug users differ from others in what ways?  According to the research of user’s personality and attitudes how do users differ from non-users? 
10. Social control theorists argue that if there were no penalties for drug use, what would happen to the rate of drug use?
11. According to social control theorists, the cause of drug use is the absence of ______ _______  _____  _______  _________.  In other words, most of us do not engage in deviant or criminal acts because of strong bonds with ________, ______ _____, _____, _____, __ _____ ______. 
12. According to Gottfredson and Hirschi, criminals are drug users are _______ (similar, very different)?  How do they describe the personality of the drug user? 
13. What causes low self-control according to social control theories?   What causes low self-control according to the self-control theories? 
14. True or false:  There are no social or demographic differences between users and nonusers.  Anyone can become a drug user or abuser, and everyone’s odds are the same.  Drug use strikes the population randomly and seemingly without explanation. 
15. What is conflict theory, and why is it gaining more importance?
16. Compare and contrast social learning theory with sub-cultural theory.
17. Under the selective interaction/socialization approach which drug are users likely to use first?
18. A sociologist who studies why drug abuse is particularly devastating in poor, minority communities would be operating under which theory?
19. Most theories on drug use/abuse are contradictory?  Complimentary? 
20. Dave takes cocaine because of the euphoric feeling he gets.  He really likes the feeling and keeps using the drug.  Which theory best describes his behavior?
21. Tania has become addicted to heroin.  When she tries to stop using it, the pain is very great.  She always goes back to heroin to relieve the pain.  Which theory explains her continued use?
22. Derek is unhappy with his life.  He has been rejected by his peers, and his wife does not think he is good enough. He turns to drugs to deal with his rejection. Which theory best describes his behavior?
23. Kira has purple hair, tattoos, nose rings and wears a lot of black.  Society finds her to be very unconventional.  Kira enjoys using drugs.  Which theory explains her behavior?
24. Frank wants lots of money.  He never finished high school because he had to work to help support his family.  He will never legitimately earn a lot of money.  He turns to selling drugs.  Which theory best explains his behavior?
25. Jill has a good job, kids and a house.  She has been offered the chance to try cocaine.  She chooses not to because she is afraid that it will hurt her job, kids and home.  Her behavior is best explained by which theory?
26. Heather likes to drink.  It makes her feel good.  It is fun to her.  She drinks when she wants and how much she wants with no regard to the consequences.  Which theory best describes her behavior?
27. Jim’s friends smoke cigarettes and drink alcohol.  One day, Jim brings some LSD to his friends.  They get mad at him and chastise him for bringing an illegal substance.  This is an example of what theory?
28. There has been some suggestion that major league baseball players use steroids.  The players have actively resisted any rule which would ban their use or test for their use.  Which theory best describes why a baseball player may use steroids?