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Problem gamblers are hyposensitive to wins: an analysis of skin conductance responses during actual gambling on electronic gaming machines

journal contribution
posted on 2024-11-16, 06:30 authored by Lisa Lole, Craig Gonsalvez, Robert BarryRobert Barry, Alex Blaszczynski
Physiological arousal is purportedly a key determinant in the development and maintenance of gambling behaviors, with problem gambling conceptualized in terms of abnormal autonomic responses. Theoretical conceptualizations of problem gambling are discordant regarding the nature of deficit in this disorder; some accounts posit that problem gamblers are hypersensitive to reward, and others that they are hyposensitive to reward and/or punishment. Previous research examining phasic electrodermal responses in gamblers has been limited to laboratory settings, and reactions to real gaming situations need to be examined. Skin conductance responses (SCRs) to losses, wins, and losses disguised as wins (LDWs) were recorded from 15 problem gamblers (PGs) and 15 nonproblem gamblers (NPGs) while they wagered their own money during electronic gaming machine play. PGs demonstrated significantly reduced SCRs to reward. SCRs to losses and LDWs did not differ for either PGs or NPGs. This hyposensitivity to wins may reflect abnormalities in incentive processing, and may represent a potential biological marker for problem gambling.

Funding

Problem Gambling: Can Subtle Physiological Reactions To Wins And Losses Help Identify The Problem Gambler? Problem gambling is a major public health issue affecting 3%-6% of the adult population with the Productivity Commission (1999) detailing many associated consequences including major depression, suicide, substance abuse, marital and familial dysfunction and domestic violence

Australian Research Council

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History

Citation

Lole, L., Gonsalvez, C. J., Barry, R. J. & Blaszczynski, A. (2014). Problem gamblers are hyposensitive to wins: an analysis of skin conductance responses during actual gambling on electronic gaming machines. Psychophysiology, 51 (6), 556-564.

Journal title

Psychophysiology

Volume

51

Issue

6

Pagination

556-564

Language

English

RIS ID

88285

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