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Cognitive psychopathology of problem gambling
1Clinical, Social and Evaluation Research Department, Center for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. ttoneatt@arf.org
Substance Use & Misuse
|September 1, 1999
Summary
This study categorizes cognitive distortions in gambling, identifying common thinking errors like skill magnification and the gambler's fallacy. Understanding these cognitive distortions is key to addressing problematic gambling behaviors.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Cognitive distortions are common in gambling behavior.
- Existing literature highlights various thinking errors associated with gambling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a typology of cognitive distortions relevant to gambling.
- To categorize and describe these distortions for better understanding.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of research on cognitive distortions in gambling.
- Development of a classification system for gambling-related cognitive distortions.
Main Results:
- Identified distortions include magnification of skills, superstitious beliefs, and interpretive biases (e.g., gambler's fallacy, chasing).
- Other distortions include illusion of control over luck, selective memory, and illusory correlation.
- Self-related beliefs like entitlement and magical thinking were also discussed.
Conclusions:
- A comprehensive typology of cognitive distortions in gambling has been established.
- This framework aids in understanding the psychological underpinnings of gambling behavior.
- Further research can utilize this typology to develop targeted interventions.