A TEST OF A THREE-STAGE LEARNING MODEL OF DRUG USE.

This article discusses a study on the three-stage learning theory of drug use. The desire to use a drug and the element of fear are a function of learning process over a period of time. There are three stages in this process with different effects on the individual and different behavioral consequences. The first stage involves the actor in primarily a respondent role, learning with his friend, the desire, risks and techniques of using drugs. The second stage is the period during which an individual transfers to an operant role and actually tries a drug. The third stage is the stage of stable drug-use patterns. In order to test this theory of drug use, the authors used an ex post facto design. The study employed a questionnaire administered anonymously to a random sample of undergraduate classes at the University of Southern California. It is evident that students are learning to use drugs at the university. For instance, 28% of freshman tried cannabis, while the percentages of juniors and seniors were 44% and 45%, respectively. One further observation involves the distribution among fraternity and sorority students. It was suggested that the Greek community might be less likely to use drugs due to the supposedly conservative political nature of the fraternities and sororities.