Extending the role of associative learning processes in nicotine addiction.
Compulsive smoking is a worldwide public health problem. Although research has confirmed the importance of associative learning processes in nicotine addiction, therapies targeting nicotine-associated cues still have a high relapse rate. Most theories conceptualize nicotine as an 'outcome' that reinforces behaviors and/or changes the affective value of stimuli. Albeit important, this view does not capture the complexity of associative processes involved in nicotine addiction. For example, nicotine serves as a conditional stimulus acquiring new appetitive/affective properties when paired with a non-drug reward. Also, nicotine functions as an occasion setter that participates in higher-order associative processes that likely permit a more pervasive influence of conditioned cues that are resistant to typically cue-exposure therapy techniques. Finally, nicotine appears to amplify the salience of other stimuli that have some incentive value resulting in enhanced nicotine self-administration and conditioned reinforcement processes. Future smoking intervention strategies should take into consideration these additional associative learning processes.
Bevins
Rick A
RA
Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588-0308, USA. rbevins1@unl.edu
Palmatier
Matthew I
MI
D000339:Affect; D001245:Association Learning; D003214:Conditioning, Classical / Q000502:physiology; D003463:Cues; D006801:Humans; D011582:Psychological Theory; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D012008:Recurrence; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*