James MacKillop
Assistant Professor (Research)
Bio Med Alcohol and Addiction Studies
Phone: +1 401 863 6421
Research Interests
I conduct a program of research using modern learning theory to understand the nature and treatment of addictive behavior. I approach addictive behavior as a prototypically operant behavior, albeit an excessive and maladaptive one. More specifically, I principally conduct research using behavioral economics, which integrates the principles of operant conditioning and micro-economics. Related interests include the role of associative conditioning in addictive behavior and interactions between operant and associative conditioning.
Using a learning-based theoretical approach, I have studied several different forms of addictive behavior and have investigated a number of phenomena that have been implicated in addictive behavior. For example, some of my recent projects include studies on the relative reinforcing value of alcohol, elevated impulsivity in hazardous drinkers and pathological gamblers, and the role of perceived availability on the effect of alcohol-related stimuli on subjective craving. I have also applied this approach in clinical research. I recently completed a study finding that individual differences in the relative reinforcing value of alcohol predicted treatment response in college alcohol misusers. Currently, one of my principal foci is a study examining the functional role of cue-elicited craving for alcohol using behavioral economics, which captures the intersection of operant and associative learning processes. This work is funded by a grant from the Alcoholic Beverage Medical Research Foundation.
Although a learning-based approach to addiction is at the core of my research program, I also believe that this approach can be substantially enhanced by data from multiple levels of analysis and can contribute to research areas that are not typically associated with learning theory. As a result, I collaborate with a number of other scientists to conduct transdisciplinary and translational research on addictive behavior. For example, my recent work has included studies using learning theory to understand genetic influences on addiction. This includes a study of a behavioral economic index of impulsivity as a behavioral phenotype of two dopamine gene polymorphisms and a study examining the relationship between reactions to alcohol cues and a polymorphism in the dopamine D4 receptor gene. I am also currently collaborating with several neuroscientists to use neuroimaging approaches to characterize the neurobiological substrates that subserve behavioral economic choice behavior (i.e., neuroeconomics). Finally, it has become apparent to me that a learning-based approach to addictive behavior could make substantial contributions to alcoholism pharmacotherapy research. As a result, I have been increasingly conducting research in this area.
Across all of the preceding areas, a related research interest is in psychological assessment and the development of psychometrically valid measures. I have conducted a number of validation studies examining the properties of several measures, including measures of craving (both from a state and trait perspective) and impulsivity. In addition, an active part of my research program is the validation of a purchase task methodology for assessing a drug’s relative reinforcing value. Purchase tasks are self-report analogues of progressive-ratio operant schedules and provide a time- and cost-efficient assessment of reinforcing value.
Curriculum Vitae
