Out for a Smoke

Article Response: Out for a Smoke
Your Name
Department of ABC, University – Whitewater
ABC 101: Course Name
Professor (or Dr.) Firstname Lastname
Date
Article Response: Out for a Smoke
Cigarette craving impacts an individual’s cognitive function while triggering smoking behavior or causing relapse in those trying to quit the habit. The impact of craving on cognitive function has received little serious attention. Therefore, in the study, Sayette, Schooler, & Reichle (2010) as the question, “…what is the effect of craving on both the occurrence and awareness of mental lapses?” In answering the question, researchers sought to understand how cigarette cravings impact cognitive functions by causing zoning-out episodes. It was hypothesized that the more an individual experiences craving, the more likely they are to zone out in a task that requires cognitive function.
The study involved forty-four participants with similar traits like native-English-speaking, smoking habits, not currently diagnosed with any disease, literate, and between the ages 18 and 55. Additionally, the male and female participants reported having smoked at least fifteen cigarettes daily in the past twelve months. Before the experiment, the participants were required to avoid smoking for a minimum of six hours. Additionally, they abstained using alcohol as well as nicotine alternative products, and among other drugs 24 hours before arrival. Since both genders were involved and all participants were literate and fell between the broad age range, the participants can be generalized to the larger population.
An IBM-compatible computer and software were used to implement the experiment, with readers asked to read a section (chapters 1 – 5) of Toltoy’s War and Peace in a 2-hours experimental session. On arrival, participant smoking abstinence was measured through a CO sample (below 15 ppm). Participants...