Psychology of Addictive Behaviors
Psyc 497
Summer 2007
Instructor:
Monica Reis-Bergan, Ph.D.
Email:
reisbemj@jmu.edu
Office
112 Johnston; 568-4365
Office Hrs:
by appointment
Cell phone:
540-430-0832
Home Phone:
540-896-1350
IM:
mrbginya
Additional library help specific for the course can be found:
http://www.lib.jmu.edu/psychology/default.aspx
http://www.lib.jmu.edu/psychology/documents/Addictive.doc
Course Description:
This is a capstone course designed to provide students an opportunity to apply the skills,
knowledge, and experiences they have learned in the psychology degree to a focused topic: the
initiation, maintenance, prevention, and treatment of addictive behaviors.
Course Objectives:
1. To integrate and apply psychological theories and methods to facilitate the understanding of
addictive behaviors.
2. To read current journal articles related to the initiation, maintenance, prevention, and treatment
of addictive behaviors.
Information Literacy Objectives:
1. To define and articulate the need for information.
2. To identify a variety of types and formats of potential sources for information.
3. To select the most appropriate investigative methods or information retrieval systems for
accessing the needed information.
4. To articulate and apply initial criteria for evaluating both the information and its sources.
5. To use of information sources in communicating the product or performance.
Methods and Evaluation
Papers & Presentation
In this course you will conduct personal exploration into a specific research question related to
psychology and addictive behaviors. See attached papers describing papers and presentation in detail.
Class Activities & Class Participation
Each class has an assigned activity.* The activity and discussion are worth 5 points.
Failure to engage in class discussion will result in loss of points (I will notify you).
*Class attendance is mandatory 6/7-6/9. There will not be assigned activities during class.
Grading System:
Paper #1
50
Paper #2
50
Paper #3
50
Presentation
50
Newsletter
30
Class activity points (10)
50
Total Points
280
Final course grades will be based on the total number of points accumulated during the class.
A = 94 – 100%
B+ = 87 – 89.9%
C+ = 77 - 79.9%
D = 60 – 69.9%
A- = 90 – 93.9%
B = 83 – 86.9%
C = 73 – 76.9%
F = below 60%
B- = 80 - 82.9%
C- = 70 - 72.9%
Class Policies
1. Attendance is expected. You are responsible for anything that you miss. Please come to class
prepared. (Note: Attendance is mandatory 5/31, 6/4, 6/5, & 6/7. Any absences during this time
must be discussed with professor in advance.)
2. Late papers will lose 10 points for each day past the assigned classtime (note: even if the paper is
turned in later in the day a 10 point penalty will be deducted). This course goes quickly and it is
difficult for me and for you if the deadlines are not met.
3. I do not tolerate any type of cheating. A full commitment to the James Madison University Honor
Code is expected in all work in this class. The individual papers are to be your own work. Should I
discover that you have cheated in some way (e.g., copying from someone else, plagiarizing), you will
receive a failing grade for the paper.
4. I am available by appointment to discuss questions or concerns you have. Feel free to call me at
JMU or at home. Please communicate with me throughout the course and not after problems have
arisen.
5. Please respect the experiences and ideas of fellow class members. The goal is to make this a fun and
considerate place to learn.
Class Schedule
Week 1
Date
Monday
5/14
Topic
Class overview
Assignment (Bring to Class)
Tuesday
Prevalence & History
Pick an addiction : Provide
5/15
Prevalence Statistics & History of
behavior
Wednesday 5/16
Nature of Addiction
Diagnosis – How is it
determined if a
person is addicted?
Thursday
5/17
Profile of Addiction Description of an addicted
Person: VIDEO
PAPER #1 DUE
Week 2
Monday
5/21
Intiation
Paper #1 Due
Article 1 initiationoutline
Tuesday
5/22
Initiation
Article 2 initiation –
outline
Wednesday 5/23
Prevention
Thursday
Research Workshop Day Description of 3 research
5/24
Sample prevention program
ideas
PAPER #2 DUE
Week 3
Monday
5/28
No class
Tuesday
5/29
Treatment
Article 1 Treatment - outline
Wednesday 5/30
Treatment
Article 2 Treatment - outline
Thursday
Research Workshop Day Description of 3 research questions
5/31
PAPER #3 DUE
Week 4
Monday
6/4
Presentations
Tuesday
6/5
Presentations
Wednesday 6/6
No class
Thursday
Presentation & Class discussion Paper #4 Due
6/7
Paper 1: General Requirements:
1. Students will select an addictive behavior
2. Students will integrate information from a minimum of 15 sources and summarize the results in specific
content areas (See below).
3. Student will list APA citations AND evaluate the quality of the sources used.
4. Paper will be double spaced (10 page maximum).
5. Paper will be graded using the rubric provided.
Paper #1: The Problem
1. Nature of the Addiction
Definition and terminology for specific addiction (profession and slang)
Diagnosis &/or signs and symptoms of the addiction
Prevalence of X
a. Target Populations (regions, countries, ages, gender, etc)
Biological, Psychological, and Social basis for addiction
Biological, Psychological, and Social consequences of the addiction
3. History of X
4. Current Information about the Addictive Behavior
Active professional associations/organizations
Describe one professional conference 2006 or 2007 (6 sentence maximum)
Describe one recent newspaper article or magazine article (2006-2007)
Describe one recent research article (from a peer reviewed journal article 20052006)
5. Monica’s “SPECIAL” refence section
APA citation
Evaluation (authority, timeliness, documentation, purpose, review process)
**in paragraph form
Paper #1 Grading Rubric
Name:
I. General Writing
A. Organization of the Paper
1
2
3
4
5
Little/no
Some
Sustained
organization;
organizations/
organization and
frequent digressions
some digressions
control
B. Professional tone and word choice
1
2
3
4
5
Unprofessional
Professional tone/
tone/ poor word
good word choice
choice
C. Writing Competence: Grammar and Mechanics (spelling, punctuation, sentence structure)
1
2
3
4
5
Seriously flawed,
Flawed with a few
No serious
distracting errors
minor distractions
grammatical /
mechanical errors
D. Clear indication of source of ideas, statistics, etc…
1
2
3
4
5
Failure to include
Excellent job citing
references to source
sources in text
II. Writing in Psychology
A. Clarity of information: Nature of addiction (definition, diagnostic, & prevalence)
1
2
3
4
5
Summary is not
Summary is clear
clear/ missing
and complete
details
B. Clarity of information: Nature of addiction (basis for addiction & consequences)
1
2
3
4
5
Summary is not
Summary is clear
clear/ missing
and complete
details
C. Clarity of information: History
1
2
3
4
5
Summary is not
Summary is clear
clear/ missing
and complete
details
D. Clarity of information: Current information
1
2
3
4
5
Summary is not
Summary is clear
clear/ missing
and complete
details
E. Clarity of information: Evaluation of sources
1
2
3
4
5
Summary is not
Summary is clear
clear/ missing
and complete
details
III. Overall Impression
1
Weak description
Total = __________/50
2
3
4
5
Strong overall
discussion
Paper #2: Why? When? (Initiation & Maintenance)
Paper 2: General Requirements:
1. Students will write about the same addictive behavior as paper #1.
2. Student will list APA citation for the article on the title page with name and date.
3. Paper will be double spaced (10 page maximum).
4. Paper will be graded using the rubric provided.
5. Please include a copy of the original article.
6. Article Review of 1 research journal article (not review articles)
a. Must be 2002 to 2007
b. Must be research study (not review or commentary)
c. Must relate initiation to different models/theories
**Each review will contain the following:
I.
Reference (APA style)
II.
Summary (brief – not copy from abstract – in own words)
a. Study purpose (rationale, hypotheses, etc)
b. Methodology
c. Results & Conclusions
III.
Strengths and Weaknesses of the article (method, interpretation, etc..)
IV.
Implications/Applications (research, people in general)
Paper #2 Grading Rubric –Initiation
Name:
I. General Writing
A. Organization of the Paper
1
2
Little/no organization;
frequent digressions
3
Some organizations/
some digressions
B. Professional tone and word choice – (newsletter style)
1
2
3
Unprofessional tone/
poor word choice
4
5
Sustained organization
and control
4
5
Professional tone/ good
word choice
C. Writing Competence: Grammar and Mechanics (spelling, punctuation, sentence structure)
1
2
3
4
Seriously flawed,
Flawed with a few
distracting errors
minor distractions
II. Writing in Psychology
A. Clarity of study purpose
1
not clear/ missing details
2
B. Clarity of methodology summary
1
2
Summary of methods is
not clear/ missing details
C. Clarity of results summary
1
2
Summary of results is
not clear/ missing
details
3
4
5
Introduction is clear and
complete
3
4
5
Summary of methods is
clear and complete
3
4
5
Summary of results is
clear and complete
4
Strengths identified
with support.
5
Strengths identified are
of high quality and are
supported
4
Weaknesses identified
with support.
5
Weaknesses identified
are of high quality and
are supported
4
5
High quality
applications provided
4
5
Original ideas present
D. Identification and support for study strengths
1
2
3
Strengths not identified at
Strengths identified
Strengths identified
all
with no support
with minimal support
E. Identification and support for study weaknesses
1
2
3
Weaknesses not
Weaknesses identified
Weaknesses identified
identified at all
with no support
with minimal support
F. Quality of applications of study to research & people in general
1
2
3
No applications provided
Applications not
relevant or of low
quality
G. Demonstration of original thought - voice
1
2
No original thought
Total =
_____________/50
5
No serious grammatical
/ mechanical errors
3
Paper #3: How stop? (Treatment)
Paper 3: General Requirements:
1. Students will write about the same addictive behavior as paper #1.
2. Student will list APA citation for the article on the title page with name and date.
3. Paper will be double spaced (10 page maximum).
4. Paper will be graded using the rubric provided.
5. Please include a copy of the original article.
6. Article Review of 1 research journal article (not review articles)
a. Must be 2002 to 2007
b. Must be research study (not review or commentary)
c. Must relate to different treatment models (treatment outcomes)
**Each review will contain the following:
V.
Reference (APA style)
VI.
Summary (brief – not copy from abstract – in own words)
a. Study purpose (rationale, hypotheses, etc)
b. Methodology
c. Results & Conclusions
VII.
Strengths and Weaknesses of the article (method, interpretation, etc..)
VIII.
Implications/Applications (research, people in general)
Paper #3 Grading Rubric –Treatment
Name:
I. General Writing
A. Organization of the Paper
1
2
Little/no organization;
frequent digressions
B. Professional tone and word choice
1
2
Unprofessional tone/
poor word choice
3
Some organizations/
some digressions
4
5
Sustained organization
and control
3
4
5
Professional tone/ good
word choice
C. Writing Competence: Grammar and Mechanics (spelling, punctuation, sentence structure)
1
2
3
4
Seriously flawed,
Flawed with a few
distracting errors
minor distractions
II. Writing in Psychology
A. Clarity of introduction
1
not clear/ missing details
2
B. Clarity of methodology summary
1
2
Summary of methods is
not clear/ missing details
C. Clarity of results summary
1
2
Summary of results is
not clear/ missing
details
3
4
5
Introduction is clear and
complete
3
4
5
Summary of methods is
clear and complete
3
4
5
Summary of results is
clear and complete
4
Strengths identified
with support.
5
Strengths identified are
of high quality and are
supported
4
Weaknesses identified
with support.
5
Weaknesses identified
are of high quality and
are supported
4
5
High quality
applications provided
4
5
Original ideas present
D. Identification and support for study strengths
1
2
3
Strengths not identified at
Strengths identified
Strengths identified
all
with no support
with minimal support
E. Identification and support for study weaknesses
1
2
3
Weaknesses not
Weaknesses identified
Weaknesses identified
identified at all
with no support
with minimal support
F. Quality of applications of study to research & people in general
1
2
3
No applications provided
Applications not
relevant or of low
quality
G. Demonstration of original thought - voice
1
2
No original thought
Total =
_____________/50
5
No serious grammatical
/ mechanical errors
3
Final Presentation & Paper: Future Research & Public Outreach
Presentation: General Requirements:
1. Students will discuss the same addictive behavior as paper #1.
2. Students will give a powerpoint presentation on an original research idea.
3. The talk will be approximately 15 minutes in length with an additional 5 minutes for questions.
4. Student will cite sources in the talk using APA format as well as in a APA format reference section
on the last powerpoint slide.
5. Students will print copies of the powerpoint slides for all classmates and professor.
6. Presentation will be graded using the rubric provided.
Final Papers (newsletter & self-evaluation): General Requirements:
1. Students will create a newsletter for a particular target audience.
2. Students will provide a 2 page paper indicating their rationale for the information provided in the
newsletter (double spaced).
3. Student will write a one page reflection on what they learned over the past 4 weeks (single or double
spaced).
4. Newsletter and self-reflection will be graded using the rubric provided.
Presentation Rubric
Name:
I.
Engages audience (Through skilled delivery- does not read speech, creativity,)
1
2
3
4
5
Reads speech – no
Appropriately
interaction
interactive
II.
Shows coherence in topic (provides overview, organizes and develops ideas appropriately, makes clear the
source of ideas, communicates clearly)
1
2
3
4
5
Very little coherence
Clear organization
and source of ideas
III.
Uses visual support effectively (readable, right amount of material, helpful – video?)
1
No visuals
IV.
2
3
4
5
Appropriate use of
visual support
Rationale – Why is this research important?
1
2
3
4
5
No rationale provided
Clear rationale
V.
Context - How does this fit into the research literature you have read? (weaknesses, underrepresented
populations, methods, etc…)
1
2
3
4
5
No context provided
Clear context
VI.
Testable Hypotheses – What do you expect to find
1
2
3
4
5
Hypothesis not
Clear articulation of
articulated
hypotheses
VII.
Design & Method (Participants, Procedure, Measures)
1
2
3
4
5
Unclear design
Clear articulation of
design
VIII.
Expected Results
1
2
3
4
5
Results inappropriate
Clear and
or unclear
appropriate method
IX.
Discussion of Results (Implication for future research & people)
1
2
3
4
5
No discussion
Clear and
appropriate
discussion
X.
Discussion of results (Limitations of proposed study)
1
2
3
4
5
No discussion
Clear and
appropriate
discussion
Total = _______________/50
Newsletter Rubric
Name:
A.Engages audience (Colorful, Eye catching headings, etc.)
1
Boring
2
5
Appropriately
engaging
B.Shows coherence in topic (provides overview, organizes and develops ideas appropriately, makes clear the source of ideas,
communicates clearly)
1
2
3
4
5
Very little coherence
Clear organization
and source of ideas
C.Uses visual effectively
1
2
No visuals or Too
many visuals
D.Information readable and appropriate
1
Difficult to
read/understand
2
3
4
3
4
5
Appropriate use of
visuals
3
4
5
Clear and
appropriate
presentation of
information
4
5
Clear rationale
4
5
Personal thought
about class
E.Rationale – Why is information included and presented in this way?
1
2
3
No rationale provided
F. Self –reflection piece
1
2
3
No thought
Total = _________/30