gambling and the learning approach

Question 1

role models (initiation)

Answer 1

• an individual may see a role model gambling and therefore take up the behaviour themselves
• done through observation and imitation (SLT)

Question 2

positive reinforcement (maintenance)

Answer 2

• when the individual makes a gain from participating in a certain behaviour

Question 3

negative reinforcement (maintenance)

Answer 3

• when something is lost from participating in an activity (eg. stress or boredom

Question 4

cues to action (relapse)

Answer 4

• a certain stimulus that causes an individual to want to gamble again
• could be an advert for gambling or coming across a betting shop

Question 5

strength

Answer 5

• helped to develop therapies to treat gambling such as classical conditioning
• gamblers can counter-condition their response so that they no longer associate gambling with positive experiences

Question 6

weakness

Answer 6

• reductionist: doesn’t consider other factors such as the influence of cognitive biases