Module 5: Psychological Theories of Addiction
Ch. 5: Expectancies Theory
This reading addresses how what we expect to happen as a result drinking alcohol or taking drugs (expectancies) affects the decisions and choices we make about using, misusing, or not using those substances. While this piece is specifically about college drinking, the principles apply to anyone faced with making choices about using any substance (or, for that matter, engaging in many different types of behaviors). Feel free to read the entire piece, but the required material begins on page 108 of Reich, R.R. & Goldman, M.S. (2012). Drinking in college students and their age peers: The role of anticipatory processes (chapter 5). In H.R. White & D.L. Rabiner, (Eds), College drinking and drug use, (pp. 105-120). NY: Guilford Press.
In this chapter (pp. 108-117) you will read about:
- Risk taking and sensation seeking within a developmental context;
- The role of expectancies and expected outcomes in choices related to drinking; and,
- How expectancies form through social learning and interactions with the social environment.
Click here for a link to our Carmen course where you can locate the assigned pdf file(s) for this chapter. You will need to be logged into our Carmen course, select Module 5, and proceed to the Coursework area. Under the Readings heading you will find a box with links to the readings for relevant coursebook chapters. Don’t forget to return here in your coursebook to complete the remaining chapters and interactive activities.
