Explanations for gambling addiction: Learning theory AD

Question 1

reinforcement

Answer 1

A consequence of behaviour that increases the likelihood of that behaviour is being repeated. Can be positive or negative.

Question 2

partial reinforcement

Answer 2

A behaviour is reinforced only some of the time it occurs (eg every 10th time or at variable intervals)

Question 3

Variable reinforcement

Answer 3

A type of partial reinforcement in which a behaviour is reinforced after an unpredictable period of time or number of responses

Question 4

Vicarious reinforcement

Answer 4

The experience of seeing others being rewarded for their gambling through pleasure, enjoyment and sometimes money.

But this can also be done through indirect observation through magazines etc, which might be enough to trigger a desire for the same reinforcement in someone who hasn’t gambled before.

Question 5

Direct positive and negative reinforcement

Answer 5

Winning and money are obvious sources of positive reinforcement of continued gambling.

Gambling can also be a form of escape for many people. This is negative reinforcement as it offers a distraction from adverse stimuli such as the anxieties of everyday life.

Question 6

partial reinforcement schedule

Answer 6

A partial reinforcement schedule creates persistent behaviour like gambling. In some types of partial reinforcement, only bets are rewarded, so there is an unpredictability about which gambles will pay off, thus maintaining gambling behaviour.

Question 7

extinction

partial reinforcement

Answer 7

Skinner’s research with rats and pigeons demonstrated continuous reinforcement (rewards every correct answer). Under this schedule, once the reward stops, the target behaviour does too → extinction.

Question 8

variable reinforcement description

Answer 8

Behaviour is reinforced intermittently, which produces the most persistent learning as rewards are given after an unpredictable number of responses. E.g. a slot machine might pay out after an average of 8 spins, but not on every 8th spin.

Question 9

Why is variable reinforcement more resistant to extinction?

Answer 9

It takes longer for learning to be established under this schedule but is much more resistant to extinction. It is possible for a gambler to keep spinning with no wins at all, which explains why some people continue to gamble after big losses. The gambler learns that they will not win with every gamble, but will eventually win if they persist.

Question 10

cur reactivity

Answer 10

Similarly to nicotine addiction, cue reactivity can explain how a behavioural addiction is reinforced. Experienced gamblers might encounter secondary reinforcers.

The presence of one of these can cue the arousal that a gamber craves before they place the bet. These cues are everywhere in social media, so they are difficult to avoid.

Question 11

secondary reinforcers examples

Answer 11

• Atmosphere in a betting shop
• Colourful look of lottery scratchcards
• TV horse-racing channel
• Exciting sounds of internet betting sites

Question 12

Research support outside the lab situation

strength

Answer 12

• Dickerson 1979 observed behaviour of gamblers in 2 betting offices
• Compared gamblers who based most bets on horse races compared to those who placed few bets
• High frequency gamblers were more likely to place their bets in the last 2 mins of a race
• Due to build up of excitement, which is rewarding to gamblers
  Evidence for the role of positive reinforcement in gambling in a real world setting.

Question 13

counterpoint to research support - methodological shortcomings

limitation

Answer 13

• Gambling behaviour was directly observed in the betting shops for 14 weeks by one observer
• No inter-observer reliability
  Observer bias was not eliminated and the findings of the study may not be valid.

Question 14

Explains failure to stop gambling

strength

Answer 14

• Conditioning is an automatic process
• They are unaware that they are learning to become addicted to gambling
• Conscious desire to give up may conflict with existing conditioning processes that drive them to continue gambling
  Learning theory explains the common everyday experience of most addicted gamblers who find it hard to stop gambling.

Question 15

Limited explanation -
Struggles to explain some types of gambling

limitation

Answer 15

• Can explain gambling in games where there is no delay in placing bet and knowing the outcome
• Harder to explain when outcome comes some time after placing bet
• Conditioning is less effective
  Learning theory is limited because it does not provide a general explanation of all gambling addiction.