Anne Gaboury

Gambling: Relationship Between the Frequency of Wins and Irrational Thinking

Abstract In this study, we evaluated the relationship between the number of wins and the number of irrational verbalizations on the part of individuals playing American roulette. We predicted that subjects who win frequently would make more irrational verbalizations than rational verbalizations compared to subjects who win infrequently. Twenty Canadian subjects (8 men, 12 women) were randomly divided into two experimental groups (frequent vs. infrequent wins). The subjects used the thinking aloud procedure to verbalize their thoughts, which were then classified according to degree of rationality or irrationality. The results showed that irrational verbalizations outnumbered rational verbalizations in both groups. A few wins were sufficient to evoke an illusory perception of control.

Evaluation of a prevention program for pathological gambling among adolescents

Many adolescents gamble, some gamble regularly and 2% to 5% suffer from pathological gambling (Jacobs, 1989; Ladouceur & Mireault, 1988; Lesieur & Klein, 1987). This study evaluated the efficacy of a pathological gambling prevention program conducted in five high schools in the Quebec City area. Based on an alcohol prevention program (Rhodes & Jason, 1988), it included the following components: the legality of gambling, the commercial nature of the activity, automatic gambling behaviors, pathological gambling and coping skills. Nine junior and senior classes participated in the program (N=134) and nine equivalent classes served as a control group (N=155). It was predicted that experimental subjects would increase their knowledge of gambling and pathological gambling, decrease their frequency of gambling and change their attitudes toward gambling. A six month follow-up confirmed the maintenance of newly acquired information toward gambling. Results confirmed the efficacy of the program in improving knowledge and skills for controlling gambling behavior at the end of treatment. The clinical implications of prevention programs for pathological gambling are discussed.

Ecological validity of laboratory studies of videopoker gaming

This study compared the cognitive and behavioral components of videopoker players under laboratory and natural settings. Twenty regular gamblers (19 men and 1 woman) were matched into two groups on age and on frequency of gambling. Irrational verbalizations during gambling, monetary risk (number of bets doubled and number of tokens bet), and motivation served as dependent variables. Results showed no significant differences between laboratory and natural settings for the number of inadequate verbalizations, bets doubled, and motivation. The amount of money gambled was greater in the laboratory than in the natural setting. The practical and theoretical implications of these results are discussed according to the ecological validity of gambling studies conducted in laboratory settings.

Effects of limited and unlimited stakes on gambling behavior

The present study evaluated the effects of limited and unlimited stakes on motivational and cognitive activities of roulette players. Earlier studies have shown that irrational thinking dominates rational thinking during gambling. It was hypothesized that subjects in the limited stakes condition would be less motivated to play and would verbalize fewer irrational cognitions than subjects who were allowed to bet freely. Two groups of 15 individuals played 50 trials of American roulette. The results showed that, although each group emitted more irrational than rational thoughts, there was no difference between the groups in the percentage of irrational verbalizations. One unexpected difference between the groups was found. Subjects in the limited stakes condition made riskier bets than subjects in the unlimited stakes condition. Possible explanations for this difference are discussed.

Dimensions Cognitives et Comportementales Chez Les Joueurs RÉGuliers et Occasionnels au Blackjack

Abstract Empirical studies in the psychology of gambling have revealed at least two well supported findings: (1) irrational cognitions outnumber rational cognitions during gambling (Gaboury and Ladouceur, 1987; Ladouceur, Gaboury. Dumont and Rochette 1988); (2) risk-taking behavior increases as a function to exposure to gambling activities (Ladouceur, Mayrand and Tourigny 1987; Ladouceur, Tourigny and Mayrand 1986). The present study compared regular and occasional gamblers on cognitive and behavioral measures during a blackjack session using the thinking aloud method. The results confirmed that regular players emitted more irrational thoughts than occasional gamblers. The theoretical and practical implications of those results are discussed within the general context of the psychology of gambling.

CORRECTION DES VERBALISATIONS IRRATIONNELLES CHEZ DES JOUEURS DE POKER‐VIDEO*

Earlier studies have shown that irrational thinking dominates rational thinking during gambling. The present study evaluated the effects of cognitive restructuring on gambling behaviors among video poker players. Within a single case experimental design across subjects, the results showed that irrational verbalizations decreased during treatment while rational verbalizations increased. Three out of four players reduced their frequency of gambling following treatment. The theoretical and clinical implications of these results are discussed.