Study Finds Casino Glitz Doesn't Contribute to Problem Gambling
Scientists employing the Iowa Gambling Task added to the mounting evidence that poor decision-making such as occurs with compulsive gambling is caused by a more general mental condition that may include a physiological problem in the brain. Researchers tested and confirmed their hypothesis that learning in relation to bad gambling choices stays with a subject, even if distracting influences are introduced.
Inability to learn and adjust behavior based on results is seen to involve impairment, through either injury or genetics, of the prefrontal cortex, an area of the brain heavily involved in the decision-making process.
Andrea Stocco, Danilo Fum, and Antonio Napoli issued the report under Behavioral and Brain Functions. The Iowa Gambling Task was developed a decade ago by researchers at the University of Iowa. It employs decks of cards which yield good and bad results. Most healthy participants learn to choose from the decks with a high number of good results, whereas problem gamblers and others with addictive behaviors have trouble distinguishing among the decks.
By establishing that outside influences do not prevent participants from making correct decisions once the learning has occurred, the study indicates that the lights and sounds surrounding patrons in casino environments would not increase problem gambling incidents. This is consistent with the preponderance of scientific evidence in recent years, which suggests problem gamblers will suffer from their disorder even if no gambling outlet is available.
To avoid forcing the problem to simply manifest itself in a different way, treatment and education must address a much broader spectrum than just gambling. Problem gambling only spotlights a condition with much deeper roots.
