Examining Adolescent and Adult Substance Use from a Dual Process Cognitive Perspective

Abstract

Dual process theories propose that humans have two cognitive systems, a rational system and an experiential (automatic, impulsive, affect-oriented) system. Previous research suggests adolescents may rely on experiential cognition more than do adults. Four studies investigated this possibility. ... Findings of the current research support the view that interventions targeting automatic responses from the experiential system could reduce substance abuse, particularly among adolescents.