Memory for future gambling wins.

Abstract

Analogous to false memories for the past, gambling behavior may be influenced by the development of vivid, believed false "memories" for future gambling outcomes. We examined the degree to which believed memory-like representations for future gambling wins and losses were associated with prior substantial win experiences, frequency of gambling, risk for problem gambling, and other types of gambling expectancies. Regular gamblers with and without prior substantial wins rated the strength of a specific outcome expectancy, their belief that substantial gambling wins and losses would occur in the future, and rated the strength of "memory" for future gambling wins and losses. They then described a future win and a future loss and rated memory-like phenomenal characteristics for these events. Prior winners rated future wins as more believable relative to future losses, and rated future gambling outcomes as more memory-like than did gamblers without prior win experiences. Belief and memory for future wins correlated positively with frequency of gambling and positive response expectancies (e.g. relaxation when gambling). Belief and memory for future losses correlated with negative outcome expectancies and endorsement of problem gambling risk. Expecations about future wins and losses are likely influenced by believed memory-like representations for future wins and losses.

Validating “belief in occurrence” for future autobiographical events.

“…This issue is relevant when considering whether over-rehearsed future event representations might result in problems. Given notions that problem gamblers sometimes become convinced that they are "due a win" (Delfabbro, Lahn & Gabrosky, 2006) which contribute to a sense that a win in the future is inevitable, Scoboria and Wilson (2011) proposed that problem gambling behavior might be influenced by the development of vivid, believed false mental simulations for future gambling outcomes (which they speculated may even be VALIDATING BELIEF IN OCCURRENCE FOR FUTURE EVENTS… 30 experienced as 'memories for future wins'). They found that a sample of problem gamblers rated belief in occurrence for future gambling wins as higher than future gambling losses, despite the fact that losses are the more likely outcome.…”

The Psychological Science of Money

“…It had been thought that cognitive distortions are associated with playing games that skills are perceived to be a potential component (Myrseth, Brunborg, & Eidem, 2010 ;Toneatto, Blitz-Miller, Calderwood, Dragonetti, & Tsanos, 1997 ). Scoboria and Wilson ( 2011 ) demonstrate that believed memory-like representations for future wins and losses also have a part in a gambler's cognitive distortions. In their study they fi nd that when "believed mental representations" for future wins are strong relative to those for future losses, gambling behavior may be reinforced.…”

Football Gambling Three Arm-Controlled Study: Gamblers, Amateurs and Laypersons

“…In addition, distortions of self-belief, such as omnipotence, cognitive reasoning and magical thinking, as well as interpretive biases (gambler’s fallacy or hindsight bias), selective memory, predictive skill and illusion of control also play a significant role. Scoboria and Wilson [21] demonstrated that believed memory-like representations of future wins and losses have also a part in a gambler’s cognitive distortions. In their study, they found that when ‘believed mental representations’ of future wins are strong relative to those of future losses, gambling behavior may be reinforced.…”