Related Experiment Videos
Differences between problem and nonproblem gamblers in subjective arousal and affective valence amongst electronic
Stephen L Brown1, Simone Rodda, James G Phillips
1Department of Psychology, University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE, UK. Slbrown2@uclan.ac.uk
Abstract:
Arousal-based theories of gambling suggest that excitement gained from gambling reinforces further gambling behavior. However, recent theories of emotion conceptualize mood as comprising both arousal and valence dimensions. Thus, excitement comprises arousal with positive valence. We examined self-reported changes in arousal and affective valence in 27 problem and 40 nonproblem gamblers playing electronic gaming machines (EGMs). Problem gamblers reported greater arousal increases after gambling and increases in negative valence if they lost. This accords poorly with an excitement-based explanation of problem gambling.