Decreasing influence of arbitrarily applicable verbal relations of recreational gamblers: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Twenty‐one recreational gamblers were randomly assigned to two groups; one group was exposed to a conditional discrimination relational training task to bias choice allocation to a black machine presented concurrently with a red machine, and the other group underwent the same relational training task immediately followed by a defusion procedure, designed to expand upon the relations developed in the initial relational task. Both groups completed a simulated slot‐machine task before and after the relational training task, with or without the defusion procedure. Results showed that 9 of 11 participants in the relational training only group showed an increased bias toward the black machine, compared to only 4 of 10 in the relational training plus defusion group; this latter group also showed greater matched responding. Results suggest that expanding verbal–relational networks may reduce the influence of any single verbal relation on gambling choice behavior.

Symbolic generalization of the near-miss in simulated slot-machine gambling.

“…Previous findings indicate that the near-miss effect in simulated slot-machine gambling may be altered through verbal relations (Belisle et al, 2019;M. R. Dixon et al, 2011;Dymond et al, 2012) but only when win, near-miss, and loss outcome reel displays are related to the written text "win," "loss," and "almost."…”

“…Previous findings indicate that the near-miss effect in simulated slot-machine gambling may be altered through verbal relations (Belisle et al, 2019; M. R. Dixon et al, 2011; Dymond et al, 2012) but only when win, near-miss, and loss outcome reel displays are related to the written text “win,” “loss,” and “almost.” Our findings show that gambling-specific stimuli commonly associated with slot machines may acquire symbolic properties of same and opposite which then exert a subsequent influence over win expectancy.…”

“…R. Dixon et al (2009) found that 10/16 participants reversed their ratings from pretest to posttest by rating loss stimuli as closer to a win than near-miss stimuli. These findings indicate that the near-miss effect, in which near misses are rated as closer to a win than losses, may be altered through derived (symbolic) relations (Belisle, Paliliunas, Dixon, & Speelman, 2019; M. R. Dixon et al, 2011; Dymond et al, 2012).…”

‘This slot is hotter than that one’: symbolic generalization of slot machine preference in simulated gambling

“…As well as enhancing the validity of laboratory-based treatment studies, this approach has the potential to better inform treatment approaches aimed at reducing the frequency of problematic slot-machine gambling rather than eradicating it entirely (Dickerson & Weeks, 1979;Ladouceur, Lachance, & Fournier, 2009). Belisle, Paliliunas, Dixon, and Speelman (2018) demonstrated that the effects of a non-arbitrary relational training task on slot machine choice could subsequently be reduced Symbolic generalization 20 through using defusion techniques derived from therapeutic exercises (Assaz, Roche, Kanter, & Oshiro, 2018). Defusion involves altering the way an individual relates to their thoughts and aims to modify undesirable functions of language.…”