Explain two or more factors related to the development of substance abuse and/or addictive behaviour.

Refer to the paper 2 markbands when awarding marks.

The command term “explain” requires candidates to give a detailed account of factors related to the development of substance abuse and/or addictive behaviour, including reasons or causes.

Candidates do not need to distinguish between factors related to either substance abuse or addictive behaviour.

Relevant factors may include, but are not limited to:

• parental influence (Bauman et al., 1990)
• peer pressure (Unger et al., 2001)
• genetic and biological factors (Overstreet, 2000; Heath and Madden, 1995)
• role of advertising and marketing (Chen et al., 2005; Charlton et al., 1997)
• personality traits (Stein et al., 1987)
• cognitive factors such as expectancies regarding the effects of substances (Hansen et al., 1991; Brown et al., 1980).

Examples of how candidates may show evidence of critical thinking may include, but are not
limited to:

• analysis of the methodology and/or ethical considerations
• degree of empirical support
• analysis of the interaction between biological, cognitive and cultural factors
• questioning the direction of cause and effect.

Candidates may explain two factors related to the development of substance abuse and/or addictive behaviour in order to demonstrate depth of knowledge, or may explain a larger number of factors related to the development of substance abuse and/or addictive behaviour in order to demonstrate breadth of knowledge. Both approaches are equally acceptable.

If a candidate explains only one factor, the response should be awarded up to a maximum of [5] for criterion A, knowledge and comprehension, up to a maximum of [4] for criterion B, critical thinking, and up to a maximum of [2] for criterion C, organization.