gambling cognitive theory Flashcards
(6 cards)
What does the cognitive explanation suggest causes gambling addiction?
Gambling addiction results from faulty thought processes and cognitive distortions that bias a gambler’s perception of control and probability.
What is the illusion of control in gambling addiction, and who identified it?
Identified by Langer, the illusion of control is when gamblers overestimate their influence over random outcomes—such as picking lottery numbers or choosing a slot machine—giving the false sense of skill.
What are some cognitive biases identified by Wagenaar that maintain gambling behaviour?
• Perceptual bias (gambler’s fallacy): Belief that a win is due after losses.
• Selective recall: Wins are remembered more than losses.
• Near-win bias: Near misses are perceived as ‘almost wins.’
• Ritual bias: Superstitious behaviours are believed to influence outcomes (e.g. lucky socks).
What did Griffiths (1994) find when comparing regular and non-regular gamblers in an arcade?
Regular gamblers were significantly more likely to use irrational verbalisations and claim above-average skill, despite slot machines being based on chance.
What is a key limitation of the evidence supporting cognitive biases in gambling?
The evidence is correlational, so it’s unclear if cognitive distortions cause gambling addiction or if they develop as a result of it to cope with repeated loss.
Why might cognitive theory be insufficient for explaining how gambling addiction begins?
Cognitive biases are effective at explaining the maintenance of gambling behaviour, but initiation is likely better explained by social factors such as peer influence or modelling.
