influences Flashcards
structural characteristics
Features of gambling products that make them appealing or addictive (e.g., jackpot size, speed of play, near-misses).
Game design elements that encourage prolonged play, such as reward schedules and reinforcement.
situational characteristics- griffiths 2022
Environmental and social factors, such as peer influence, availability of gambling opportunities, and marketing strategies.
The role of cultural and economic contexts in shaping gambling habits.
Get people to gamble in the first place and
primarily features of environment
(Killick & Griffiths, 2022)
Two types of situational characteristics:
* Macro-characteristics = the wider
environment (e.g., location, number of
gambling outlets)
* Micro-characteristics = features of the
internal gambling environment (e.g.,
heating, lighting, sensory factors)
individual characteristics
Personal traits, such as impulsivity, risk-taking tendencies, and cognitive biases.
Psychological factors like motivation, personality, and susceptibility to gambling addiction.
Demographics such as age, gender, and socio-economic background.
for example- Irrational Beliefs (IBs)
* Rigid, extreme, illogical, hinder goal achievement (e.g., survival and happiness).
* Irrational as they go against our survival and happiness (goal).
* Associated with internet addiction, food addiction, compulsive exercise and internet gaming
addiction (Ko et al., 2008; Nolan & Jenkins, 2019
interactions of these
Interactions and Gambling Behavior (Red Oval)
These three sets of characteristics interact with each other to influence gambling behavior.
For example, structural characteristics (e.g., a slot machine’s near-miss design) may reinforce gambling tendencies in individuals with high impulsivity (individual characteristic) or those who are exposed to gambling advertisements (situational characteristic).
Significance of the 2022 Study (Griffiths & Calado)
ER on what affects gamblers!
Choliz et al., 2015- It is possible that the growth and promotion of online gambling will result in substantially increased use of these types of games in countries where they are legal. This may be especially true for young people due to their interest in such games. In this context, it is important to note that online gambling is more addictive than any other type of game due its structural characteristics, such as immediacy, accessibility, ease of betting, and so on. This study examined the effect of online gambling in Spain 2 years after its legalization. The sample included 1277 pathological gamblers in recovery at 26 gambling addiction treatment centers. Our results showed a significant increase in young pathological gamblers since the legalization of this activity.
Brunborg et al., 2016- A higher level of problem gambling severity appears to be associated with higher scores on neuroticism, and with lower scores on conscientiousness and agreeableness. In addition, gambling problems were much more prevalent among men than women, and more prevalent among those who live alone, individuals without tertiary education and among those who are unemployed or on disability pension.
personality 2
Impulsivity: A key risk factor involving inattention, risk-taking, and sensation-seeking. Those with gambling disorder score higher on impulsivity measures (van Holst et al., 2010).
Childhood Predictors: Impulsivity in early life is associated with later gambling issues (Slutske et al., 2012).
neurobiology of gambling
Dopamine & Reward Deficiency Hypothesis: Gambling disorder shares similarities with substance use disorders, affecting brain regions related to impulsivity and motivation (Wise, 2004). Lower dopamine receptor density is linked to addiction risk (Volkow et al., 2001).
Brain Function Differences: Gambling disorder is linked to altered brain responses in reward-processing areas. Some studies suggest reduced ventral striatum activity during reward anticipation (Balodis et al., 2012), while others report heightened responses in high-risk situations (Miedl et al., 2010).
genetics of gambling
Familial Risk: Gambling disorder tends to run in families, with a strong genetic component (Slutske et al., 2000).
Twin Studies: Genetic factors account for a significant portion of gambling disorder susceptibility, particularly in men
Dopamine & Serotonin Genes: Certain gene variations, such as DRD2 and serotonin transporter genes, are linked to gambling disorder, though findings are mixed (Wilson et al., 2013).
Genome-Wide Association Studies: Emerging research has identified addiction-related genetic markers but requires further exploration (Lind et al., 2013).
