Explanations For Gambling Addiction

Question 1

Forming the addiction social learning theory

Answer 1

Gambling addiction can form due to observing role model being rewarded for gambling

Reward could be enjoyment in gambling or occasional wins

Observations doesn’t have to be direct it could be through media

Question 2

Maintaining addiction : operant conditioning

Answer 2

Gambling can provide positive reinforcements reward for winning and buzz excitement from gambling

thus gambling is most likely to be repeated to gain same reward

Also acts as negative reinforcement to distract individual from everyday life e.g anxiety , will continue gambling behaviour to avoid negative consequence of anxiety

Question 3

Partial reinforcement

Answer 3

Person is only rewarded some of the time this is unpredictable and exciting so increases likelihood of repeating gambling behaviour

Question 4

Fixed rate

Answer 4

Behaviour is reinforced predictable amount of times e.g slot machine paying out every 5 minuties

Question 5

Variable reinforcement

Answer 5

Behaviour is reinforced unpredictable amount of times (variable intervals)

Highly more reinforcing as it is highly unpredictable and exciting leading to stronger more persistent gambling behaviour

Question 6

RTS learning theory as applied to gambling behaviour comes from Parke and Griffiths

Answer 6

Found gamblers become more addicted to rewards of gambling such as money thrill, excitement and near misses

Are reinforcing as it raises hope for future success

Supports idea of positive reinforcement making gambling highly addictive , due to unpredictability of winning

And associated excitement

Increasing validity of learning theory as applied to gambling behaviour

Question 7

Learning theory as explanation to gambling behaviour limitation AO3

Answer 7

Criticised for environmental determinism

States induvidual controlled by external factors e.g reinforcements that cause gambling behaviour

E.g if a person is rewarded for gambling behaviour by feeling of euphoria will gamble again to get same reward

Neglects the role of free will and choice person may not choose to gamble due to awareness of financial loses

Learning theory cannot account for this and thus may not fully be applied to gambling

Question 8

Learning theory explanation of gambling addiction Ao3 prac apps

Answer 8

Principles of theory addiction is caused by pleasant associations between gambling and exciment

Lead to aversion therapy

Where gambling is re associated with negative stimulas I.e electric shock rather than feeling of excitement

Important part of applied psychology

Increasing credibility of learning theory of explanation of gambling