The explanation of why people use or abuse psychoactive substances is described as which term?

The explanation of why people use or abuse psychoactive substances is described as which term?

• A. Conundrum
• B. Theory
• C. Hypothesis
• D. Hyperbole

Answer: (B)

A theory is the way we describe and explain why people use or abuse psychoactive substances. It’s a coherent framework that ties together what we observe—biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors—into an explanation that can be tested and refined with research. From a theory, researchers can derive hypotheses, or testable predictions, to study specific aspects of use and abuse. The other terms don’t fit: a conundrum is just a puzzling problem, hyperbole is exaggeration, and a hypothesis is a single testable claim rather than the broad explanatory framework.

A theory is the way we describe and explain why people use or abuse psychoactive substances. It’s a coherent framework that ties together what we observe—biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors—into an explanation that can be tested and refined with research. From a theory, researchers can derive hypotheses, or testable predictions, to study specific aspects of use and abuse. The other terms don’t fit: a conundrum is just a puzzling problem, hyperbole is exaggeration, and a hypothesis is a single testable claim rather than the broad explanatory framework.