Explanations For Gambling Addiction - Cognitive theory

Question 1

What are the two explanations for a gambling addiction?

Answer 1

Learning theory and cognitive theory

Question 2

What is meant by the cognitive theory?

Answer 2

• cog approach argues add bhv is due to cog bias
• this is where a persons thinking, memory and attentional processes are faulty
• leading to indv making irrational decisions e.g. continuing to gamble despite huge losses

Question 3

What are the four cognitive biases?

Answer 3

Skill bias - illusion of control
Ritual bias
Selective recall bias
Gamblers Fallacy

Question 4

What is meant by skill bias and provide an example

Answer 4

• gambling addicts overestimate ability to influence random events as they believe they have special skills which make them more likely to win
• e.g. they believe they are skilled at choosing lottery numbers, making them more likely to gamble

Question 5

What is meant by ritual bias and provide an example

Answer 5

• add gamblers believe they have a greater chance at winning if they have engaged in ‘lucky’ rituals
• e.g. wearing a certain ‘lucky’ top when gambling

Question 6

What is meant by selective recall bias and provide an example

Answer 6

• add gamblers remember wins but forget losses, leading them to gamble more
• they may refer to losses as near wins
• e.g. they are more likely to recall their wins on scratch cards but minimise number of times they have lost

Question 7

What is meant by gamblers fallacy and provide an example

Answer 7

• add gamblers have distorted views about chance as they believe a run of losses must be followed by a win
• e.g. gambler may have lost 6 times but believe they cant lose again and next bet is a win

Question 8

What is meant by self efficacy?

Answer 8

• refers to persons beliefs about control over their bhv
• indv with low self efficacy have a greater chance of relapse which leads to self fulfilling prophecy as they believe they cannot give up gambling
• this causes gambling add to be reinforced as relapse proves their beliefs of not being able to stop

Question 9

What are the three AO3 PEELS to evaluate the cognitive theory of gambling addictions?

Answer 9

RTS - fruit machine
Counter argument - self report weakness
Strength - prac apps - CBT