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Explanations for Gambling Addiction

Cognitive theory as applied to gambling, including reference to cognitive bias

  • 6 things to know
  • Paper 3

Overview

Cognitive bias in gambling, the gambler's fallacy, the illusion of control, and the way wins and losses are recalled and explained.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

What is a cognitive bias?

Key term

What is the gambler's fallacy?

Key term

What is the illusion of control?

Key term

How do gamblers remember and explain their wins and losses?

Key term

Why do gamblers keep playing after a loss?

Evaluation

Evaluate the cognitive explanation of gambling addiction.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What does the cognitive approach emphasise in explaining gambling addiction?

    Model answer

    The role of faulty, irrational thinking, or cognitive biases, that distort a gambler's perception of their chances of winning.

  2. 2

    What is a cognitive bias?

    Model answer

    A systematic error in thinking that affects the judgements and decisions a person makes.

  3. 3

    What is the gambler's fallacy?

    Model answer

    The mistaken belief that a run of one outcome makes the opposite outcome more likely, even though the events are independent, such as believing a win is 'due' after a run of losses.

  4. 4

    What is the illusion of control?

    Model answer

    The belief that one can influence the outcome of a chance event, for example through personal rituals or perceived skill.

  5. 5

    What is a 'near miss' bias?

    Model answer

    Interpreting an almost-win as evidence that success is close, which encourages continued gambling despite a loss.

  6. 6

    What is meant by recall bias in gamblers?

    Model answer

    Gamblers tend to remember and overestimate their wins while forgetting or rationalising their losses.

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