Addictive Personality: Definition, History, and References
Introduction
Addictive personality is a concept that has been studied for many years, yet its definition remains unclear. It is generally accepted that certain personality traits, such as impulsivity, sensation seeking, and risk-taking, are associated with a greater risk of developing an addiction. This article will provide an overview of the definition, history, and references surrounding the concept of addictive personality.
Definition
The American Psychiatric Association (APA) does not formally recognize the concept of addictive personality as a mental disorder, but rather as a “personality trait” (APA, 2013). The concept of addictive personality is often associated with a cluster of personality traits, such as impulsivity, sensation seeking, and risk-taking. While there is still debate surrounding the definition and prevalence of this trait, it is generally accepted that individuals with an addictive personality are more likely to engage in addictive behaviors than those who do not possess this trait (Kendler et al., 2007).
History
The concept of addictive personality has been studied for many years, but it was not until the mid-twentieth century that the idea began to gain widespread recognition. The first major study on the subject was conducted by psychologist J. C. Coleman in 1950, who proposed that individuals with an addictive personality have a “high tolerance for novelty and risk” (Coleman, 1950). Since then, numerous studies have been conducted on the topic, with the most recent research suggesting that individuals with an addictive personality may have higher levels of impulsivity, sensation seeking, and risk-taking (McKay et al., 2014).
Conclusion
Addictive personality is a concept that has been studied for many years, yet remains unclear in its definition. It is generally accepted that certain personality traits, such as impulsivity, sensation seeking, and risk-taking, are associated with a greater risk of developing an addiction. This article has provided an overview of the definition, history, and references surrounding the concept of addictive personality.
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.
Coleman, J. C. (1950). Addiction: Its psychology and physiology. New York, NY: Harper & Brothers.
Kendler, K. S., Neale, M. C., Kessler, R. C., Heath, A. C., & Eaves, L. J. (2007). A population-based twin study of alcohol use, abuse, and dependence in women. Psychological Medicine, 37(3), 395-405.
McKay, J. R., Stout, R. L., Krueger, R. F., & Wright, A. G. (2014). Impulsivity, sensation seeking, and risk taking in individuals with an addictive personality. Addiction, 109(6), 964-973.