Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to review the literature examining subjective and physiological arousal associated with an individual’s
preferred modes of gambling. Arousal is hypothesised to play a central role in the onset and maintenance of problem gambling.
Most studies have failed to differentiate relevant patterns of arousal elicited by stimuli associated with preferred versus
non-preferred modes of gambling on the assumption that similar processes motivate all gamblers. At the conceptual level, sub-typing
theories of problem gambling propose differences in the motivation to gamble, and the associated role arousal plays in maintaining
behaviours. A review of the existing literature reveals preliminary findings that indicate that gamblers respond differentially
to preferred compared to non-preferred gambling stimuli, and that gamblers may display greater reactivity in arousal to gambling
cues compared to non-gamblers. Understanding differences in such patterns of arousal can be used to inform clinical interventions
by effectively targeting the nature and role of arousal associated with preferred modes of gambling, and determining the extent
to which non-preferred modes act as secondary reinforces triggering by gambling urges.
preferred modes of gambling. Arousal is hypothesised to play a central role in the onset and maintenance of problem gambling.
Most studies have failed to differentiate relevant patterns of arousal elicited by stimuli associated with preferred versus
non-preferred modes of gambling on the assumption that similar processes motivate all gamblers. At the conceptual level, sub-typing
theories of problem gambling propose differences in the motivation to gamble, and the associated role arousal plays in maintaining
behaviours. A review of the existing literature reveals preliminary findings that indicate that gamblers respond differentially
to preferred compared to non-preferred gambling stimuli, and that gamblers may display greater reactivity in arousal to gambling
cues compared to non-gamblers. Understanding differences in such patterns of arousal can be used to inform clinical interventions
by effectively targeting the nature and role of arousal associated with preferred modes of gambling, and determining the extent
to which non-preferred modes act as secondary reinforces triggering by gambling urges.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Review Paper
- Pages 1-16
- DOI 10.1007/s10899-012-9304-2
- Authors
- Julian Baudinet, School of Psychology (A18), The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Alexander Blaszczynski, School of Psychology (A18), The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Journal Journal of Gambling Studies
- Online ISSN 1573-3602
- Print ISSN 1050-5350