Physiological and behavioural effects of cigarette smoking

Yucesoy, Anse Nuray

Abstract

[Preface:]
This thesis is based upon a general interest in the understanding and modification of cigarette smoking.
A review of smoking modification methods is presented in chapter one. This review points out that although a diversity of treatment techniques have been applied to the modification of smoking behaviour, the general outcome has not been impressive. The common finding is that although almost any form of treatment induces short-term reductions or total abstinence in smoking frequency, relapse is a common phenomenon observed across treatments.
One possible reason for the failure of the treatment programs to extinguish smoking frequency successfully may be related to the major underlying assumptions prevalent in the area. Smoking modification researchers have generally viewed smokers as a homogeneous group, exhibiting a common problem behaviour, which is smoking. Thus, they have tried to develop a treatment strategy that will prove to be universally effective for all smokers. This approach does not consider the differences that might exist between individuals in their motives for smoking.
Research in smoking typology (chapter 2) shows that smokers give different reasons for why and when they smoke. Furthermore, the typology research points out the possibility of classifying smokers as pharmacologically addicted or non-addicted to smoking.
In chapter 3, the role of nicotine in the maintenance of smoking behaviour is discussed. Although, it is of crucial importance to investigate the effects of nicotine manipulations on smoking parameters, this area of research is also dominated by the assumption that nicotine affects all smokers in the same way. Due to this view, findings on the role of nicotine for different types of smokers are very slender and at present inconclusive.
Experimental studies investigating the effects of cigarette smoking on physiological, behavioural and psychophysical measures are presented in chapter 4* Most of the measures discussed in this chapter are used in the experiments of this thesis. The aim of this chapter is to link the data from the verbal self-reports of smokers on why and when they smoke to objective evidence on the effects of smoking so as to formulate a model of smoking behaviour.
An analysis of these areas indicates that smokers may best be viewed as a heterogeneous group with different motives or a hierarchy of motives maintaining their smoking behaviour. This view necessitates the adoption of a differential treatment approach, by which appropriate treatment strategies can be devised to deal directly with the needs or motives of different types of smokers.
However, prior to the treatment phase, it is essential to develop a reliable method of identifying types of smokers. At present the classification of types of smoking is based on self-reports of smokers to questionnaires. So, firstly the objective validity of the typology scales needs to be established.
The experiments of the present thesis (chapters 5 and 6), were designed to investigate differences between pharmacologically addicted and non-addicted smokers as classified by Russell _et al's (1974) "Smoking 'typology Scale". Differential effects of smoking and deprivation on these groups, in physiological, behavioural, and psychophysical measures and in smoking topography was investigated. The major aim of these studies was to provide an understanding of pharmacological addiction in terms of the effects of smoking and of cigarette deprivation.
On the basis of the findings from the two experiments of the present thesis and those reported in the literature, a modification of the concept of pharmacological addiction is proposed and its implications for a differential treatment approach to smoking is discussed in chapter 7.

Citation

Yucesoy, A. N. Physiological and behavioural effects of cigarette smoking. (Thesis). University of Hull. https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4224522

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Dec 7, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 24, 2023
• Keywords: Psychology
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4224522
• Additional Information: Department of Psychology, The University of Hull
• Award Date: Feb 1, 1980