Peter is 17 years old and has just been diagnosed with alcohol addiction - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 17 - 2021 - Paper 2

Peter’s addiction can be understood through several developmental influences.

Firstly, children often observe and imitate behaviors from role models, especially their parents. Since Peter has witnessed his mother drinking alcohol daily, he may have internalized this behavior as acceptable or normal. This aligns with social identity theory, which suggests that individuals adopt behaviors consistent with their group identities. In Peter’s case, his family environment and peer behaviors serve as powerful models.

Moreover, behaviors that provide a form of reinforcement are likely to be repeated. Peter found that drinking alcohol at parties made him feel more confident, which positively reinforced his drinking behavior. According to principles of classical conditioning, anything associated with this experience of increased confidence may lead to a reflexive desire for alcohol in similar contexts, such as parties.

Additionally, by starting to drink alcohol at age 13, Peter may have weakened his ability to cope with social situations without alcohol. His motivation to drink every time he attends a party reflects a learned association between alcohol and social enjoyment, further entrenching his addiction. Through these developmental lenses, we can see how Peter's early exposure to alcohol and the positive reinforcement he experienced in social settings both significantly contributed to his current struggles with addiction.