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13. PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGICAL AND SUBJECTIVE RESPONSES IN VIDEO LOTTERY GAMBLERS
By: Dr. David Hodgins (Principal Investigator) -- Project Approved 2001-02
Psychophysiological responses (heart rate and skin conductance) and subjective ratings of excitement and tension were measured while participants gambled on video lottery terminals in a casino and in a laboratory situation. The study investigated the relationship between indices of arousal and problem gambling criteria in a real world situation and compared responses in casino and laboratory situations. Dr. David Hodgins (PI); Ms. Katherine Diskin (CI), Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Calgary.
Status (Complete):
The principal form of publication is anticipated to be in peer-reviewed journals. The following project abstract has been provided by investigators Katherine M. Diskin, David C. Hodgins, Steven A. Skitch.
Abstract:
How we respond to video lottery terminals and other types of gambling continues to be mysterious although some laboratory investigations of physiological and emotional reactions and thought patterns have been reported. Laboratory settings allow investigators to control many aspects of the situation, which makes the research more valid. However, it is unclear whether these settings are realistic enough to create the same types of responses as gambling in casinos or lounges. The major goal of this project was to have the same individuals gamble in lounges and then visit the gambling laboratory. Physiological and subjective arousal in lounge and laboratory conditions were explored using heart rate (HR), skin conductance (SCL) and subjective ratings for a community sample (N=30) of video lottery terminal gamblers (14 non-pathological gamblers [NPG] and 16 probable pathological gamblers [PPG}). For all participants, mean heart rates and ratings of subjective arousal were higher in the lounge situation, while SCL did not differ between locations. SCL increased over baseline when gambling in both situations. HR initially increased over baseline in the lounge situation only, but by the end of gambling HR increased in both situations. HR, SCL, and subjective reports were moderately correlated between venues. No correlations were found between subjective and physiological measures of arousal.
Considering the complexities involved in performing gambling research in lounges it is likely that laboratory research will continue to be undertaken. In light of these findings, it appears that there is some justification for conducting laboratory research. Researchers who choose to use laboratory situations to study gambling will need to compensate for problems with validity through the use of large, well-differentiated samples.
Diskin, K. M., Hodgins, D. C., & Skitch, S. A. (2003). Psychophysiological and subjective responses of a community sample of video lottery gamblers in gambling venues and laboratory situations. International Gambling Studies, 3(2), 133-148.
doi:10.1080/1356347032000142243
Diskin, K. M., & Hodgins, D. C. (2003). Psychophysiological and subjective arousal during gambling in pathological and non-pathological video lottery gamblers. International Gambling Studies, 3(1), 37-51.
doi:10.1080/14459790304590
Acknowledgements:
Thanks to the goodwill of the management of several lounges and the helpfulness of a community sample of VLT players, we had the opportunity of being able to compare physiological and subjective responses of gamblers in natural situations and in the laboratory. We wish to extend our thanks to Mr. Al Browne, of the Red Carpet Lounge, Mr. Ron Miller, Bow Trail Boston Pizza, and Mr. Jerry Jumaga, Motel Village Boston Pizza. The assistance of Mr. Don Waldorf, President of the Alberta Gaming Industry Association, was invaluable.
This study was funded by the Alberta Gaming Research Institute. The demonstration video lottery terminal was provided by the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission. Kate Diskin received support from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research.
The Alberta Gaming Research Institute provides grant funding to support peer-endorsed academic investigations into many aspects of gambling research. The contents, recommendations, and findings of the associated research reports, posted on this website, represent the views of the researcher(s).
Last Updated: 05/29/06
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