Work

Motivation and Self-Regulation in Addiction

Year: 2013

Type: article

Abstract: Addiction models have frequently invoked motivational mechanisms to explain the initiation and maintenance of addictive behaviors. However, in doing so, these models have emphasized the unique characteristics of addictive behaviors and overlooked the commonalities that they share with motivated behaviors in general. As a consequence, addiction research has failed to connect with and take advantage of promising and highly relevant advances in motivation and self-regulation research. The present article is a call for a convergence of the previous approaches to addictive behavior and the new advances in basic motivation and self-regulation. The authors emphasize the commonalities that addictive behaviors may share with motivated behavior in general. In addition, it is suggested that the same psychological principles underlying motivated action in general may apply to understand challenging aspects of the etiology and maintenance of addictive behaviors.

Source: Perspectives on Psychological Science

DOI: 10.1177/1745691612457575

Authors: Cătălina E. Köpetz, Carl W. Lejuez, Reinout W. Wiers, Arie W. Kruglanski

Institutions: University of Maryland, College Park, University of Amsterdam

Language: English

Topic: Behavioral Health and Interventions

Subfield: Applied Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institute on Drug Abuse

Awards: Implicit and explicit mechanisms in crack cocaine and sex trade association, Drug Choice, Impulsivity, and Risky Sexual Behavior