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Module 1.3b

A drug’s overall effect depends not only on its biological effects but also on the user’s
expectations, which vary with social and cultural contexts ( Gu et al., 2015 ; Ward, 1994 ). If one
culture assumes that a particular drug produces euphoria (or aggression or sexual arousal)
and another does not, each culture may find its expectations fulfilled. We’ll take a closer look PRACTICE
at these interacting forces in the use and potential abuse of particular psychoactive drugs.
But first, to consider what contributes to the disordered use of various substances, see the
Developing Arguments feature: Tolerance and Addiction. Research Methods & Design
(SP 2)
(10 minutes) Take time to review
the wording effect with students
®
AP Science Practice Check Your Understanding (discussed in Module 0.3). Provide
opportunities for them to analyze
Examine the Concept Apply the Concept
▶ Explain substance use disorder. What determines whether ▶ Explain the process that generally leads to drug tolerance. the wording of surveys for biased or
someone has a substance use disorder? ▶ Compare and contrast tolerance and addiction. confusing language, and discuss how
Answers to the Examine the Concept questions can be found in Appendix C at the end of the book. this wording relates to the validity of

conclusions. Ask them to provide
examples of problematic wording
Distributed by Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishers. Not for redistribution.
from surveys they have taken.
Types of Psychoactive Drugs AP Exam Tip
®
The three major categories of psychoactive drugs are depressants, stimulants, and halluci- These three categories —

nogens. All do their work at the brain’s synapses, stimulating, inhibiting, or mimicking the depressants, stimulants, and
Copyright © Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishers.
activity of the brain’s own chemical messengers, the neurotransmitters. hallucinogens — are important.
There are likely to be questions
®
Depressants on the AP exam that will require PRACTICE
you to know what effect the drugs
within these categories have on

1.3-6 What ar e depressants, and what ar e their ef fects? the body. Argumentation (SP 4)
1.3-6 What are depressants, and what are their effects?

Depressants are drugs such as alcohol, barbiturates (tranquilizers), and opioids that calm (Out of class) Have students
neural activity and slow body functions. research the rates of violent crime
®
AP Science Practice that occur when people are acting
Alcohol Research
True or false? Alcohol is a depressant in large amounts but a stimulant in small amounts. under the influence of alcohol.
False. In any amount, alcohol is a depressant. Low doses of alcohol may enliven a drinker, Surveys, such as the one used Ask them to answer the following
by the University of Illinois, are a

but they do so by acting as a disinhibitor. Alcohol slows brain activity that controls judgment non-experimental technique for questions:
and inhibitions — causing 3 million yearly deaths worldwide ( WHO, 2018b ). obtaining the self-reported attitudes
Alcohol is an equal-opportunity drug: It increases (disinhibits) helpful tendencies, as or behaviors of a particular group. • What percentage of murders
Wording is very important in
when tipsy restaurant patrons leave extravagant tips and social drinkers bond in groups surveys; even small changes in the
,
( Fairbairn & Sayette 2014 ; Lynn, 1988 ). And it increases harmful tendencies, as when sex- phrasing of questions can make occur while either the victim
ually aroused men become more disposed to sexual aggression. One University of Illinois a big difference in the results. For or the assailant is under the
example, how might the results be
campus survey showed that before sexual assaults, 80 percent of the male assailants and different if the respondents were influence?
70 percent of the female victims had been drinking ( Camper, 1990 ). Another survey of 89,874 asked if they were “drinking” versus
American collegians found alcohol or other drugs involved in 79 percent of unwanted sex- if they were “drunk”? • What percentage of sexual
ual intercourse experiences ( Presley et al., 1997 ). Drinking increases men’s and women’s assaults occur while either the
desire for casual sex and perception of attractiveness in others ( Bowdring & Sayette, 2018 ;

Johnson & Chen, 2015 ). The bottom line: The urges you would feel if sober are the ones you depressants drugs that reduce victim or the assailant is under
will be more likely to act upon when intoxicated. neural activity and slow body the influence? How does this
The prolonged and excessive drinking that characterizes alcohol use disorder contrib- functions. percentage change with the age
utes to more than 200 diseases, and can even shrink the brain and contribute to premature
of either person?
The Neuron and Neural Firing: Substance Use Disorders and Psychoactive Drugs Module 1.3b 41 • How does the influence of alcohol
affect other violent crimes such
as theft, battery, or domestic
abuse?
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Tell your students that the
National Institute on Alcohol
Abuse and Alcoholism (niaaa
.nih.gov) is a good place to start
their research. Ask students to
write a one-sentence conclusion
based on their research, citing the
scientifically derived evidence that
supports their claim.

The Neuron and Neural Firing: Substance Use Disorders and Psychoactive Drugs Module 1.3b 41

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