The relationship between explicit and implicit learning processes and probable pathological gambling

Abstract

This paper reports the findings of a study of explicit and implicit learning and gambling with non-problem (n = 107), sub-clinical problem gamblers (n = 13), and probable pathological gamblers (n = 46). Two probability learning tasks modeled after gambling games and an artificial grammar task were used to explore how people learn patterns. In each of the two probability learning tasks, the outcome of the game was biased during the first part (learning phase) of the task. The results showed that many of the participants in the experimental conditions learned the bias and gradually unlearned the bias during the extinction phase of the study. Probable pathological gamblers showed less retention of the bias during two probability tasks and repeated the same errors during the artificial grammar task suggesting that they emphasize explicit learning strategies rather than implicit learning strategies. The results are consistent with the idea that pathological gamblers are more likely to utilize explicit rules than implicit rules.

Keywords:

• learning theory
• erroneous belief
• gambling
• bias
• addictive behaviour

Acknowledgements

This project was funded in part by the Ontario Problem Gambling Research Centre (OPGRC). In addition, support to CAMH for salary of scientists and infrastructure has been provided by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (OMHLTC). The views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarilyreflect those of OPGRC, OMHLTC, CAMH, or Wilfrid Laurier University.

Notes

1. Note that the SOGS was not completed for one individual.