1. UNIT 4 BRAIN, BEHAVIOUR & EXPERIENCE AREA OF STUDY 2 MENTAL HEALTH

2. GAMBLING: PSYCHOLOGICAL CONTRIBUTING FACTORS LEARNING THEORIES Modelling through observational learning (modelling) Role of partial schedules of reinforcement COGNITIVE THEORIES Distorted patterns of thinking Cognitive biases Distorted reasoning Errors in judgment

3. GAMBLING: PSYCHOLOGICAL CONTRIBUTING FACTORS SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY Emphasises observational learning (modelling) and describes it as involving a sequence of processes called: Attention Retention Reproduction Motivation Reinforcement THE ENVIRONMENT (social context in which learning occurs) VICARIOUS CONDITIONING (indirect experience of rewards and punishments) COGNITIVE PROCESSES (attention, mental representations of modeled behaviour expectations of consequences, decision-making)

4. GAMBLING: PSYCHOLOGICAL CONTRIBUTING FACTORS SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY: MEDIA PORTRAYALS OF GAMBLING Researchers have demonstrated that media portrayals (including advertising) of gambling can encourage the observer to engage in gambling by providing vicarious reinforcement These media models generally show the positive consequences of gambling These messages in the media can be explicit or implicit

5. GAMBLING: PSYCHOLOGICAL CONTRIBUTING FACTORS SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY: MEDIA PORTRAYALS OF GAMBLING LIVE MODELS People with whom we have direct contact, such as parents, siblings, teachers and friends Considerable research shows that many children’s first experience with gambling is from their parents and this can lead to problem gambling later in life. If either parents has, or both parents have a gambling problem, there is an increased risk that their children will SYMBOLIC MODELS Presented to us in the media such as television, movies, books and Youtube Research shows that the higher the status of the model, the more the observer will imitate the behaviour

6. HOMEWORK LEARNING ACTIVITY 16.7 (pg.680)

7. GAMBLING: PSYCHOLOGICAL CONTRIBUTING FACTORS SCHEDULES OF REINFORCEMENT OPERANT CONDITIONING People continue to gamble because they become accustomed to the partial schedule of reinforcement under which gambling operates VARIABLE SCHEDULE=a steady response rate maintained over a long period of time without reinforcement Much more resistant to extinction Greater tendency for response to continue RANDOM RATIO (RR) SCHEDULE

8. GAMBLING: PSYCHOLOGICAL CONTRIBUTING FACTORS SCHEDULES OF REINFORCEMENT VARIABLE RATIO (VR) SCHEDULE Given after an unpredictable (variable) number (ratio) of correct responses, which means there is a mean number of correct responses for giving reinforcement. This is not then truly random (A variable ratio of 10; VR10, means that over 100 correct responses, 10 reinforcers will be given, but not after every 10 correct responses) RANDOM RATIO (RR) SCHEDULE Occurs when the reinforcer is given after a random number of responses and each response has an equal chance of reinforcement (Each response outcome is completely independent of the previous response outcome)

9. HOMEWORK LEARNING ACTIVITY 16.9 (pg.682)

10. PSYCHOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT AND TREATMENT TWO FORMS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL TREATMENT OF PROBLEM GAMBLING INCLUDE: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

11. PSYCHOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT AND TREATMENT COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY (CBT) COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY (CBT) COGNITIVE COMPONENT:the goal is to help the person to develop more balanced and accurate thoughts, beliefs and attitudes about playing and winning games of chance COGNITIVE DISTORTIONS: ILLUSION OF CONTROL GAMBLER’S FALLACY

12. PSYCHOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT AND TREATMENT COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY (CBT) COGNITIVE DISTORTIONS: ILLUSION OF CONTROL:the mistaken belief (illusion) that the outcomes of random, unpredictable events can be influenced (controlled) by one’s thoughts or actions Willing a winning result through mental effort Talking to and touching a pokie machine in a particular way will influence outcome Choosing specific ‘lucky numbers’ on Tattslotto Studying a pattern of numbers and then then placing bets according to a pattern (roulette) Blowing on dice before throwing them People overestimate their ability to influence the result on events of chance. They also attribute wins to personal skill and positive thinking

13. PSYCHOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT AND TREATMENT COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY (CBT) COGNITIVE DISTORTIONS: GAMBLER’S FALLACYthe false belief that in a series of independent chance events, future events can be predicted from past ones A random event is more likely to occur because it has not happened for a time A random event is less likely to occur because it has not happened for a time A random event is more likely to occur because it has recently happened A random event is less likely to occur because it has recently happened Mental health professional would assist the gambler to become aware of these cognitive distortions underlying their gambling behaviour. They develop awareness about the real statistics around games of chance, randomness and betting systems

14. PSYCHOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT AND TREATMENT COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY (CBT) COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY (CBT) BEHAVIOURAL COMPONENT:assisting the person to use behavioural techniques to manage the tension, anxiety or arousal that is associated with urges to gamble IMAGINAL DESENSITISATION Exposes the individual to mental images of gambling opportunities whilst they are in a state of relaxation so that over time they learn to associate feelings of relaxation with gambling, rather then tension and anxiety

15. HOMEWORK LEARNING ACTIVITY 16.10 (pg.687)

16. PSYCHOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT AND TREATMENT PSYCHODYNAMIC PSYCHOTHERAPY PSYCHODYNAMIC PSYCHOTHERAPY A type of psychological treatment that aims to help people understand the roots of emotional distress by exploring unconscious conflicts, motives, needs and defences Based on the theories of Sigmund Freud Assumes that all mental disorders are caused by unresolved conflicts that occur in the unconscious part of the mind, beneath conscious awareness Freud proposed that gambling is an addictive way that provides an opportunity to lose and thereby punish oneself for feelings of guilt

17. PSYCHOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT AND TREATMENT PSYCHODYNAMIC PSYCHOTHERAPY PSYCHODYNAMIC PSYCHOTHERAPY THERAPEUTIC TECHNIQUES FREE ASSOCIATION:the client is encouraged to say whatever comes to mind, regardless of how painful, embarrassing, illogical or irrelevant it may seem (related to gambling) DEFENCE MECHANISMS:these are coping skills. These help a problem gambler to deny their problem and prevents exploration and resolution of unconscious problems DENIAL:refusal to believe whatever it is that may be causing one’s anxiety or emotional conflict

18. PSYCHOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT AND TREATMENT PSYCHODYNAMIC PSYCHOTHERAPY THERAPEUTIC TECHNIQUES RATIONALISATION:coming up with a number of reasons to justify the negative consequences of gambling as well as reasons why ‘addiction’ does not refer to them OMNIPOTENCE:the feeling of being ‘all powerful’ and is a direct defence against feelings of inadequacy and helplessness TRANSFERENCE:the client unconsciously responds to the psychotherapist as though they were a significant person and part of their social network

19. HOMEWORK LEARNING ACTIVITY 16.12 (pg.690)