Cognitive Biases Evaluation

Question 1

Issues with research

Answer 1

P-research into cognitive biases often realises on people telling researchers what they are thinking which can cause problems
E-Griffith- researchers has to decide what kind of bias was being shown and how it could be influenced by researchers own expectations- Researcher bias
E- could lead to inaccurate results due to researcher bias
Also by using questionnaires gamblers may not be honest about thoughts due to social desirability/ fear of admitting irrational thinking which affects validity of the researcher.

Question 2

Everyone exhibits these cognitive biases.

Answer 2

P-not found in problem gamblers but also in non gamblers
E-Baboushkin- people use heuristics that are usually helpful but not when dealing with chance, which problems gamblers often fail to realise
E-cog biases alone don’t explain why some people become addicted while others dont. Its impossible that problem gamblers have more biases or use them incorrectly, which could be a reason for their addiction

Question 3

Supporting evidence (strength)

Answer 3

E- Griffith compared verbalisations of 30 gamblers + 30 non gamblers when playing slot machines. Shown more irrational verb in gamblers (14% vs 2.5%)
-demand characteristics - gamblers will know when they re being observed and may change behaviour
-social desirability bias- might limit response- want to look socially acceptable
-Junkhador- develop the gambling belief questionnaires
Assessed- 56 problem gamblers
-52 social gamblers (how do we define social?)
Found problem gamblers scored higher
E- both studies show clear evidence of differences in cognition of problem gamblers

Question 4

Fails to explain behaviour (weakness)

Answer 4

E-Griffith (2013)- gave the example of the number 13 appearing at least in a lottery roll over.
Those using representiveness would believe 13 was due to appear. Those using availability would think 13 was not common so wouldn’t pick it.
May only provide a description of what gamblers think rather than be able to predict future behaviour
E- this makes linking cog biases with addiction difficult as it fails to predict behaviour