B3 :cognitive Approach To Gambling Flashcards
(Initiation) What does expectancy theory say about gambling initiation?
A person’s decision to gamble depends on their expectations of the future costs and benefits of gambling
What are the potential costs and benefits of gambling?
• Costs: Financial losses and anxiety.
• Benefits: Enjoyment, financial gain, and a feeling of control.
(Initiation) When is a person likely to start gambling?
When they expect the benefits to outweigh the costs.
(Maintenance) Why are gamblers’ expectations not always rational?
Expectations are influenced by biased and distorted cognitions.
(Maintenance) What are irrational thoughts in gambling addiction?
Beliefs about probability, chance, and luck, such as the gambler’s fallacy (thinking that past outcomes influence future ones, e.g., expecting tails after five heads in a row).
(Maintanance) What is cognitive bias, and how does it maintain gambling?
Addicted gamblers are biased towards favorable outcomes, such as interpreting losses as near misses, which creates excitement and maintains gambling behavior.
(Maintenance ) What is the ‘near miss’ bias in gambling?
.When gamblers lose (e.g., horses finish second or third), they interpret it as “almost winning,” which provides excitement and rewards that reinforce gambling
(Maintanance) What is the illusion of control in gambling?
. gambler may believe they can influence outcomes through superstitious behavior (e.g., wearing a lucky item) or think they have expert knowledge that gives them an edge
(Relapse) How does recall bias increase the risk of relapse?
Recovering gamblers recall their wins and overestimate the benefits of gambling while forgetting their losses and underestimating the costs
(Relapse) How does distorted cost-benefit analysis contribute to relapse?
Biases make gambling seem more attractive than it was, leading to a higher risk of relapse.
