Explaining gambling.

Bruna and Shaun.

BiologicalInitiation• Genetics – Shah et al and Black et all found pathological gambling genetic. This approach

explains gambling as an addiction to adrenaline – the stress of awaiting the outcome of a bet releases the hormone. This adrenaline rush makes a person experience a ‘natural high’, and so more bets are placed to re-live this high.

Maintenance • Repeat gambling causes a tolerance to this adrenaline, this can lead to more frequent

gambling, or gambling with more money. • There is some evidence that endorphins has released during gambling; these chemicals

block pain and negative effects of stress.

Ignores other factors like environment (e.g.: genetics approach doesn’t consider the nurture side of the argument) = Reductionist.

The fact that this approach suggests a genetic pre-disposition makes it hard for rehabilitation.

Sensation seekers – research shows that horse gamblers have lower levels of this. Genetic pre-disposition to impulsiveness.

Psychodynamic

This suggests gambling is driven by masochism – Bergler (58) proposed that gamblers gamble to lose in order to punish themselves. This reduces guilt that they feel from having rebelled against their parents – they identify with casino dealers etc. as their parental figures. Lacks scientific evidence.

CognitiveGamblers are driven by faulty reasoning mechanisms. Decision making can be based on rational consideration rules – Wagenaar (88) identified 16 rules that gamblers use when making decisions, these include:• Illusion of control (gamblers think they are skilled; creates high

expectations of likely outcome)• Representative bias (believe that the longer a losing steak lasts, the more

likely a win will follow = gambler’s fallacy)• Illusory correlations (superstitions that they believe will help them success

e.g.: blow on dice) • Fications on the absolute frequency of success (recall past wins and have a

false belief on how often they win)

Ignores biological factors which research has shown to have an effect. Takes into account individual differences