17.4.1 Learning Theory

• Match the key components of classical conditioning with their examples in gambling:

  Unconditioned Stimulus ↔️ Winning a substantial sum

  Unconditioned Response ↔️ Excitement and pleasure

  Conditioned Stimulus ↔️ Casino lights and sounds after repeated gambling

  Conditioned Response ↔️ Craving to gamble
• In operant conditioning, positive reinforcement in gambling occurs when winning provides pleasure.
• What does negative reinforcement in operant conditioning reduce in gambling addiction?

  Stress or boredom
• In a fixed-ratio reinforcement schedule, rewards are given after a set number of gambling attempts.
• Which reinforcement schedule is highly addictive due to uncertainty?

  Variable-ratio
• What is the central idea of learning theory in the context of gambling addiction?

  Behavior is learned through conditioning
• Learning theory suggests gambling addiction is acquired and maintained through classical and operant conditioning
• Classical conditioning in gambling addiction involves associating gambling-related stimuli with pleasurable feelings.
• What is positive reinforcement in operant conditioning for gambling addiction?

  Pleasure from winning
• Classical conditioning involves associating gambling stimuli with pleasure
• The unconditioned stimulus in classical conditioning for gambling addiction is the initial excitement of winning.
• What is the conditioned response in classical conditioning for gambling addiction?

  Craving to gamble
• Steps of classical conditioning in gambling addiction

  1️⃣ Unconditioned Stimulus: Winning a substantial sum

  2️⃣ Unconditioned Response: Excitement and pleasure

  3️⃣ Neutral Stimulus: Casino lights and sounds

  4️⃣ Conditioned Stimulus: Lights and sounds after repeated gambling

  5️⃣ Conditioned Response: Craving to gamble
• What is the role of classical conditioning in gambling addiction according to learning theory?

  Associate stimuli with pleasure
• Negative reinforcement in operant conditioning for gambling addiction reduces stress or boredom
• The conditioned stimulus in classical conditioning for gambling addiction is the craving to gamble.

  False
• What is positive reinforcement in operant conditioning for gambling addiction?

  Winning provides pleasure
• Match the reinforcement schedule with its effect on gambling behavior:

  Fixed-Ratio (FR) ↔️ Creates consistent gambling with a break-and-run pattern

  Variable-Ratio (VR) ↔️ Highly addictive due to uncertainty, promotes persistent gambling
• A variable-ratio reinforcement schedule is highly addictive because of the uncertainty
• Rewards after an unpredictable number of attempts are highly addictive due to uncertainty
• What is the effect of a variable-ratio schedule on dopamine release?

  Unpredictable dopamine release
• Learning theory explains gambling addiction through classical and operant conditioning.
• Match the processes of classical and operant conditioning:

  Classical Conditioning ↔️ Association with pleasure

  Operant Conditioning ↔️ Reinforcement of behaviors
• In operant conditioning, stress reduction can act as a form of negative reinforcement.
• Arrange the steps in the reward cycle associated with gambling:

  1️⃣ Gambling

  2️⃣ Release of dopamine

  3️⃣ Pleasure

  4️⃣ Continued gambling
• What example is given to illustrate classical conditioning in gambling?

  Sound of a slot machine
• Social learning theory suggests gambling addiction can develop through observation and modeling.
• In social learning theory, belief in one's ability to gamble successfully is referred to as self-efficacy.