The influence of cognitive factors on pathological gambling

• Main Authors: Tindara Caprì, Angela Foti, Rosa Angela Fabio, Annamaria Pugliese, Gabriella Martino
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Accademia Peloritana dei Pericolanti 2017-12-01
• Series: Atti della Accademia Peloritana dei Pericolanti - Classe di Scienze Medico-Biologiche
• Subjects: gambling; locus of control; decisionmaking; superstition and unrealistic optimism
• Online Access: http://cab.unime.it/journals/index.php/APMB/article/view/1712

The purpose of this study wasto examine the role of cognitive factors, such as superstition, locus of control, decision-making and unrealistic optimism,on gambling.Eighty-six subjects participated in this study. They were divided into four groups: non-players, social players, problem gamblers, and pathological gamblers. Groups were formed on the basis of South Oaks Gambling Screen  Scale. Results showed that pathological gamblers group obtained a high superstition index. With reference to unrealistic optimism, gambler groupbelieved that they had a better chance of success compared to non-gamblers. They also showed a higher impulsivity index in decision making than non-gamblers. This study supports the idea that cognitive factors such as superstition, unrealistic optimism, impulsivity and external locus of control are involved in gambling.