Abstract
The influence of a brief mental imagery task was examined to determine if imagining engaging in gambling behaviors would satiate
the participant on gambling-related reinforcers and subsequently reduce gambling behavior. Thirty-one participants underwent
a mental imagery task consisting of either imagining gambling on a slot machine 30 times and placing quarters into a laundry
machine 3 times, or imagining gambling on a slot machine 3 times and placing quarters in a laundry machine 30 times. Following
the imagery task, participants were allowed to play a real slot machine and stop whenever they wanted to be finished. The
results showed that those who imagined playing the slot machine 30 times before actually gambling played significantly fewer
trials than those who imagined playing only 3 times. Clinical implications and future directions are discussed.
the participant on gambling-related reinforcers and subsequently reduce gambling behavior. Thirty-one participants underwent
a mental imagery task consisting of either imagining gambling on a slot machine 30 times and placing quarters into a laundry
machine 3 times, or imagining gambling on a slot machine 3 times and placing quarters in a laundry machine 30 times. Following
the imagery task, participants were allowed to play a real slot machine and stop whenever they wanted to be finished. The
results showed that those who imagined playing the slot machine 30 times before actually gambling played significantly fewer
trials than those who imagined playing only 3 times. Clinical implications and future directions are discussed.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-10
- DOI 10.1007/s10899-012-9314-0
- Authors
- Seth W. Whiting, Behavior Analysis and Therapy Program, Rehabilitation Institute, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
- Mark R. Dixon, Behavior Analysis and Therapy Program, Rehabilitation Institute, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
- Journal Journal of Gambling Studies
- Online ISSN 1573-3602
- Print ISSN 1050-5350