Can cybernetics inspire gambling research? A limit-based conceptualization of self-control

Daniel R. Lalande and Robert Ladouceur

International Gambling Studies, 2011, vol. 11, issue 2, 237-252

Abstract: This study used a negative feedback model to describe why pathological gamblers (PGs) spend more resources than non-pathological gamblers (NPGs) during a video lottery terminal (VLT) gambling session. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected via face-to-face semi-structured interviews with 43 PGs and 38 NPGs concerning their time and money management habits for gambling. Results show that the majority of PGs and NPGs use a monetary loss limit as a self-control strategy to avoid overspending. PGs, however, set a higher limit than NPGs. In addition, whereas NPGs typically stop gambling after having reached their limit, PGs typically keep spending their limited resources. To describe the self-regulation process during a gambling session, we propose an operationalization of self-control based on internal, external, implicit and explicit limits. The usefulness of a limit-based conceptualization of self-control for prevention and research is discussed.

Date: 2011
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

Downloads: (external link)
http://hdl.handle.net/10.1080/14459795.2011.598540 (text/html)
Access to full text is restricted to subscribers.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:taf:intgms:v:11:y:2011:i:2:p:237-252

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
http://www.tandfonline.com/pricing/journal/RIGS20

DOI: 10.1080/14459795.2011.598540

Access Statistics for this article

International Gambling Studies is currently edited by Katie Donnelly, David Marshall, Bronwyn Stuart, Alex Blaszczynski and Jan McMillen

More articles in International Gambling Studies from Taylor & Francis Journals
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Chris Longhurst ().