Cognitive theory of gambling addiction

Question 1

Beck’s cognitive model on addiction

Answer 1

• addiction due to disorted thinking + dysfunctional/maladaptive beliefs relating to mood eg next spin=millionnaire
• negative beliefs are self-fulfilling, leads to perception of incapability
• believe happiess impossible without gambling
• positives focused on, negatives ignored, strengthening dependency. immediate pleasure focused on- cognitive bias

Question 2

what’s the vicious cycle according to Beck

Answer 2

low mood -> using (gamble) ->
finanical, social prob -> low mood

Question 3

what are the 3 main components of the cognitive model of addiction?

Answer 3

1. Coping= engage to cope, improve mood, deal with life , distracts from life eg redundant
2. Expectancy= expect addiction to be good= will be, expect consequence to be that bad= wont be
3. Self-Efficiacy= belief addict has of themselves think capable of dealing with effects of particular behav eg gamble=fun

Question 4

Rickwood et al

what are the cognitive biases?

Answer 4

1. skill and judgement- having illusion of control
2. personality traits/ ritual behaviour- think especially lucky/ superstitious behaviour
3. selective recall- ignore losses
4. faulty perceptions- disorted views about chance, believe losing streak can’t last

Question 5

Wagennar cognitive biases

Answer 5

1. confirmaiton bias- focus on info consistent with belief
2. flexible attribution- explain win by skill
3. availability distortion- memories of wins recalled easier

Question 6

what happens when we process info quickly?

Answer 6

attention, memory and thinking become disorted, this happens when recall memories that confirm our existing view and ignore others

Question 7

what research support is there for cognitive bias?

Answer 7

Michalozuk
- 30 addicted gamblers compared to non-gamblers. addicted had higher levels of gambling-related cognitive bias + more impulsive + pref immediate rewards.
- supports view theres strong cognitive component for gambling addiction
- C-> methodology issues with self report + introspection. ‘thinking aloud’ in this case doesnt represent what really think. eg ‘i hate this machiene’ doesnt reflect beliefs about chance + skill.
- findings unvalid bc utterances dont express genuine beliefs

Question 8

how is the cognitive theory reductionist?

Answer 8

• soley focuses on cognitions alone to explain gambling addiction ignoring higher levels of addiction like family/peers (risk factors)
• maybe more useful to use more sociological explanations/hollistic view
• only offers partial explanation