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Gambler Risk Perception: A Mental Model and Grounded Theory Analysis
Michael Spurrier1, Alexander Blaszczynski, Paul Rhodes
1School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Griffith Taylor Building (A18), Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.
Journal of Gambling Studies
|January 10, 2014
Summary
Gamblers often underestimate risk and overvalue gambling, contributing to disordered gambling. Understanding these perceptions is key to addressing gambling harm and vulnerability.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Behavioral Science
- Gambling Studies
Background:
- Limited research exists on gamblers' risk perception and its link to disordered gambling.
- Understanding lay gamblers' beliefs is crucial for developing effective interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate lay gamblers' risk perception and its influence on decision-making, behavior, and disordered gambling etiology.
- To compare gambler perceptions with expert models of risk perception.
Main Methods:
- Semi-structured interviews with 15 regular gamblers (varying risk levels).
- Grounded theory and mental models methodologies were employed.
- Systematic overlapping data gathering and analysis for concept verification.
Main Results:
- Gambler accounts generally supported expert constructs regarding risk perception's role in gambling harm.
- Individual gambling accounts were idiosyncratic and sometimes inconsistent with disordered gambling measures.
- Disordered gambling is linked to underestimating risk and overvaluing gambling through various cognitive biases.
Conclusions:
- Risk perception plays a role in gambling vulnerability and protection.
- Idiosyncratic beliefs and cognitive biases significantly influence disordered gambling.
- Addressing underestimation of risk and overvaluation of gambling is vital for harm reduction.
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