· 2026
The Psychology of Gambling
- 427citations
- 2026year
Short summary
A socio-cognitive theory of gambling posits that false beliefs are central to maintaining gambling involvement, suggesting cognitive restructuring as the most effective therapy for problem gambling.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Key points
- Gambling involvement is explained by social and cognitive factors.
- A socio-cognitive theory highlights false beliefs as key to maintaining gambling.
- Excessive gambling is linked to irrational thinking.
- Cognitive restructuring is proposed as the most effective therapy for gambling problems.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
Why do people gamble, and why is it that people sometimes gamble to excess? Originally published in 1992, The Psychology of Gambling provides a comprehensive study of gambling behaviour and explores both theories and therapies for the treatment of problem gambling. Involvement in each form of gambling is examined in terms of social and cognitive factors and from this a socio-cognitive theory of gambling is developed in which false beliefs about gambling play a core role in maintaining gambling involvement. While alternative theories of gambling are reviewed, excessive gambling is explained in terms of irrational thinking with the implication that the most effective therapy for gambling problems is some form of cognitive restructuring. For psychologists, psychotherapists and anyone interested in the phenomenon of gambling.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source., 2026 · DOI ↗
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Field: Clinical Psychology
Clinical PsychologyPsychology