research found evidence of genetic
transmission of gambling in men and
first degree relatives more likely to
suffer than distant relatives,
demonstrating a strong genetic link
explains why people with same
environmental experiences as
pathologicals don't develop addiction.
suggest people more
likely to become
addicted due to
genetic predisposition
why some
resist
treatments
& relapse
easily
does ignore external
factors such as
accessibility to
gambling, free bets &
alcoholic drinks.
diathesis-stress
model
genetic
vulnerability
triggered by
environmental
factors.
MAINTENANCE
associated with underactive
pituitary adrenal response to
gambling stimuli.
research found pathological gamblers
had no increase in cortisol levels after
watching gambling videos, compared
with recreational gamblers.
demonstrates that they do not produce a
stress response to gambling which other
would find stressful.
get buzz due to rise in levels of dopamine
& noradrenaline that motivates them
study on twin pairs found dependency was influenced by genetic factors, especially
for males. in females, genetic influences accounted for 47% differences between twin
types and 79% for males. Suggests gender difference in dependency vulnerability but
also indicating the existence of biological predispositions towards addiction.
genes controlling
activity of brain
neurotransmitters
are passed on. after
winning streak, get a
rise in
neurotransmitter
levels.
RELAPSE
research found pathological gamblers
have higher boredom proneness scores
boredom
due to
abstaining
can lead
to relapse
more than 60% reported
physical side effects of
withdrawal sometimes
more severe than
withdrawal from drugs
this indicates that
changes in
neurotransmitter levels
arising from abstaining
from gambling bring on
physical withdrawal
effects, supporting the
biological theory.
Reductionistic of complex
gambling behaviour.
Though it offers
possibility for effective
treatment, ignores other
processes e.g. irrational
thought, social context.
identical brain activity is
also triggered when
addicts are not directly
involved in addictive
behaviour, suggesting that
psychological factors like
conditioned responses are
also involved.
doesn't explain why some types more
addictive than others e.g. people
hooked on video gambling became
compulsive gamblers in a year
compared to 3.5 years for those
betting on horse races or sports.