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Dysfunctional decision-making in pathological gambling: pattern specificity and the role of impulsivity
Anja Kräplin1, Maja Dshemuchadse1, Silke Behrendt1
1Department of Psychology, Technische Universitaet Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
Psychiatry Research
|January 18, 2014
Summary
Pathological gamblers (PGs) exhibit impaired decision-making due to reward focus, not strategic deficits. These issues link to impulsivity, specifically urgency and less premeditation, highlighting targets for intervention.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Behavioral Economics
Background:
- Pathological gambling (PG) is linked to dysfunctional decision-making.
- Impulsivity, particularly reward-driven processes, is a potential underlying factor.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate decision-making impairments in PGs, focusing on reward-driven processes versus strategic planning.
- To determine the relationship between these impairments and multidimensional measures of impulsivity.
Main Methods:
- Nineteen PGs and 19 controls completed the Cambridge Gambling Task (CGT) for decision-making assessment.
- Impulsivity was measured using the delay discounting paradigm (DDP) and the UPPS Impulsive Behavior Scale.
Main Results:
- PGs demonstrated higher risk-seeking and immediate reward focus on the CGT, with comparable strategic planning to controls.
- Decision-making deficits correlated with greater delay discounting, increased urgency, and reduced premeditation.
Conclusions:
- Decision-making components in PGs require differentiation for improved etiological models.
- Urgency and premeditation are key factors in disadvantageous decision-making, suggesting targets for intervention strategies focused on emotional regulation.
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