Cognitive avoidance and aversive cues related to tobacco in male smokers
Ji Sun Hong1, Sun Mi Kim1, Hye Yeon Jung2
1Department of Psychiatry, Chung Ang University Hospital, South Korea.
Background:
Treatment using aversive conditioning has been suggested for smoking cessation. The efficacy of this method is thought to be associated with cognitive avoidance. We compare differences in avoidance traits and patterns of associated brain activation in response to cues that induce cravings versus aversion between smokers and non-smokers.
Methods:
Fifteen smokers and fifteen non-smokers completed cue reactivity tasks while undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine brain responses to craving-inducing cues (Cr) and aversion-inducing cues (Av). Participant avoidant traits were also assessed.
Results:
Activation of the left frontal subcallosal gyrus in response to Cr was greater in smokers than in non-smokers. Smokers showed less activation in the right temporal lobe in response to Av than did non-smokers. Brain activation in response to Cr in the left frontal subcallosal gyrus was positively correlated with Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) scores in smokers. Brain activation in response to Av in the right temporal lobe was negatively correlated with the Korean Version of the Cognitive Avoidance Questionnaire (KCAQ) scores in non-smokers.
Conclusions:
Cognitive avoidance in smokers during aversive stimulation might result in sustaining addictive behaviors. On the other hand, non-smokers may be able to emotionally confront the adverse effects of smoking.
Related Concept Videos
01:38Cognitive Dissonance
01:14Frustration and Conflict: Avoidance-Avoidance, Double-Approach Avoidance
01:14Conditioned Taste Aversion
A notable characteristic of conditioned taste aversion is that it often requires only a single...
01:14Avoidance Learning and Learned Helplessness
Avoidance learning occurs when an organism learns that a specific behavior can prevent an unpleasant outcome. For example, a student who receives a bad grade may start studying harder to avoid future poor grades. This behavior persists even when the negative outcome is no longer present. Avoidance learning is powerful because it maintains behavior in the absence of the...
01:20Frustration and Conflict: Approach-Approach, Approach-Avoidance
One common type of conflict is the Approach–Approach Conflict. In this case, a person faces two desirable...
02:05Self-Presentation: Self-Monitoring and Self-Handicapping