Explanations For Gambling Addiction - Learning Theory Flashcards
What is the learning theory?
Explanations (such as classical and operant conditioning) which explain behaviour in terms of learning rather than any inborn tendencies, physiological factors or cognitive reasoning.
What did Griffiths do?
Argued that gamblers become addicted because of the physiological rewards (e.g. a buzz from winning), psychological rewards (e.g. the near miss), as well as financial rewards if they win.
What is partial reinforcement?
Only some responses are reinforced, compared to full reinforcement where every response is reinforced.
What’s an example of partial reinforcement?
Responses may be every 5th time (regular interval) or at variable intervals
What happens with a partial reinforcement schedule?
Wins follow some bets, but not all.
This means that gambling behaviours are much slower to extinguish because of the uncertainty of reinforcement.
What is variable reinforcement?
A response is reinforced after an unpredictable number of responses
The delivery of reinforcement is unpredictable but averages out at a specific rate.
What’s an example of variable reinforcement?
Gambling machines use one particular type of partial reinforcement, variable ratio reinforcement, with wins occurring after an unpredictable number of responses.
The average ratio of wins to losses is set, but when they occur is unpredictable.
It is the unpredictability for these rewards that keeps people gambling.
What are the different rewards for gambling?
The ‘big win’ hypothesis
The ‘near miss’
The gambling environment
What is the big win hypothesis?
Pathological gamblers often report having a big win early in their gambling career.
They continue to gamble because of a desire to repeat that early ‘peak experience’ (Aasved, 2003)
What is the near miss?
Gambling can provide reinforcement even in the absence of a win.
Near misses or losses that are ‘close’ to being wins create a brief period of excitement and thrill that encourage further gambling (Reid, 1986).
What is the gambling environment?
The casino itself is experienced as reinforcing.
Flashing lights, ringing bells and the sounds of coins tumbling out of the fruit machines were all exciting for the gambler.
What are the evaluative points?
Learning theory can’t explain all forms of gambling
Fails to explain why only some people become addicted
Support for the influence of partial reinforcement
Reinforcement schedules may lead to irrational beliefs
