Chrisi Lambos|Paul Delfabbro
Numerical Reasoning Ability and Irrational Beliefs in Problem Gambling
University of Adelaide|University of Adelaide
numerous studies shown pathological gamblers particularly prone various cognitive biases may explain continue gamble despite occurred substantial losses common explanation advanced account finding pathological gamblers may poorer numerical statistical knowledge people addressing deficits therefore seen one possible way assist pathological gamblers prevent development problematic behaviour within broader community aim study test assumption assessing numerical reasoning skills objective gambling knowledge tendency towards biased reasoning sample 90 regular pokermachine gamblers pathological nonpathological nongambling comparison group n 45 analyses based group comparisons regression analyses controlling differences educational attainment showed pathological gamblers scored significantly higher cognitive biases measure gamblers however difference could attributed poorer knowledge gambling odds limited numerical ability among pathological gamblers findings suggest educating pathological gamblers greater knowledge odds gambling unlikely effective harm minimisation strategy