Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 5, 2026

A Conflict Model of Reward-seeking Behavior in Male Rats
Published on: February 20, 2019
A behavioral approach to understanding and treating pathological gambling
1University of Connecticut Health Center, Department of Psychiatry, Farmington, CT 06030-3944, USA.
Abstract:
This report provides a behavioral account of gambling and its treatment. It describes the similarities between gambling and other behaviors maintained by intermittent schedules of reinforcement, the relationship between response cost and gambling behaviors, and how magnitudes of reinforcers affect gambling behaviors. In addition, the relationship between immediacy of reinforcement and behavior is described. Using these behavioral phenomena, behavioral and cognitive-behavioral treatments of pathological gambling are described. Finally, we present the rationale and framework for our cognitive-behavioral treatment, and we provide a behavioral interpretation of 12-step groups.
Related Concept Videos
Operant Conditioning Intervention
In operant conditioning, behaviors that are...
Behavior Modification
A real-world application of operant conditioning principles is applied...
Binge Eating Disorders
Behavior Therapy
Exposure therapy is a cornerstone of behavioral treatment for anxiety disorders. It involves systematic exposure to feared stimuli, either in real...
Treatment Strategies for Psychological Disorders
Psychological therapies focus on modifying emotions, thoughts, and behaviors through talking, interpreting, listening, rewarding, challenging, and modeling. Clinical psychologists, counselors, and social workers commonly practice psychotherapy. Clinical...
Behaviorism
The core premise of behaviorism is its focus on observable behavior rather than internal thoughts or feelings. This approach argues that true scientific...

