https://www.ted.com/talks/johann_hari_everything_you_think_you_know_about_addict
ID: 3458669 • Letter: H
Question
https://www.ted.com/talks/johann_hari_everything_you_think_you_know_about_addiction_is_wrong#t-861204
After watching this Ted Talk, post a thoughtful answer to the following questions. Be sure to answer all parts of the question:
What was your overall impression of this Ted Talk?
What was the most surprising or interesting fact/issue in the discussion?
Discuss how Hari’s idea of addiction relates to behavioral and learning theories of personality. Be specific.
Do you agree with Hari’s perspective on addiction? Explain your answer.
Based on the reading in the text and the information presented in the Ted Talk, what do you think is the most effective way to conceptualize and treat the “addictive personality”?
Explanation / Answer
This talk is like an eye opener to all of us who have the stereotypical thoughtof an addict. This talk is truely inspirational and actually mind blowing. The way the paper was presented is brilliant. It had no flaws according to me. Each concept had a reason to back it up and the surveys were precise and apt.
The most shocking part of the talk show was about the experiment conducted by Alexander---- The rat experiment. The one in he cage and then the rat park. I personally had never thought of a rat park or a similar idea. Human exposure to society is important as is for rats.
The trial and error theory of learning by thorndike and the conditioning theory by pavlov and skinner seem to be connected. Trial and error as in used with the rat, tried each time to make a betterbenvironment for the rat to get opportunities for change. The conditioning theory of pavlov would be the time when the rat was conditioned to drinking the drugged water instead of normal water due to isolation. Skinner's theory of reinforcement would be the rat park where the rats were reinforced with cheese and friends and the play area. Each theory played a part in each stage.
I completely agree with Hari's perspective. Aristotle had once said, man is a social animal, and his nature makes him sociable. Therefore according to that, a man in isolation is a lost cause. Only love and connect can help the person find his way back. If the individual is punished and left alone, he would feel useless and consider himself as good as a dead man.
The most effective way to conceptualize and treat the “addictive personality” is by taking addicts to rehad and letting them talk without anyone judging. They need an environment who will listen and accept for who they are. Apart from that family and peer support is important too. Tbhe person must be felt wated and should have a sense a belonging with the people he once loved. Sometimes they say love forgotten, they just need a jolt of support to remind them of who they are and who care for them.
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