The Attractions and Risks of Gaming and Gambling for Youth: Insights from the Connections Program Steve Chiasson, Making Connections Counselling and Workshop Services
These Behaviours Are More Similar Than Different
It is our human tendency to organize the world by seeking out patterns.
# of footsteps across Canada? 6
PROBLEM GAMBLING/GAMING HABIT Research indicates that problem gambling behaviour can be acquired solely through operant and classical conditioning How often an individual participates in gambling (habit strength) is a key factor in the establishment of a gambling problem
Two Types of Behavioural Conditioning Operant Classical Before conditioning Before conditioning During conditioning After conditioning 8
THE ROLE OF OPERANT CONDITIONING Random ratio reinforcement produces both the highest rate of responding (keeping a person engaged in a behaviour) and the greatest resistance to extinction (stopping) The influence of random ratio reinforcement contributes to persistence in gambling and gaming behaviour 9
Classical Conditioning Paired Association BOREDOM GAMBLING/GAMING GAMBLING/GAMING STRESS GAMBLING/GAMING GAMBLING/GAMING 10 SIGHTS, SOUNDS, TIME OF DAY, DAY OF THE WEEK, CERTAIN WORDS
Just Imagine... How Problematic This Type of Conditioning Can Become
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WHAT MAKES ONLINE GAMES SO ATTRACTIVE? Opportunity for constant measurable achievement/growth Temporary escape- Immersion spell Flow state Challenge Opportunity to socialize/social currency/connection Infinite levels In-game currency Intermittent rewards Virtual worlds that are still active when the player is offline Instant gratification Autonomy Fulfillment derived by experiencing life through an avatar
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WHAT MAKES ONLINE GAMES SO ATTRACTIVE? Opportunity for constant measurable achievement/growth Temporary escape- Immersion spell Flow state Challenge Opportunity to socialize/social currency/connection Infinite levels In-game currency Intermittent rewards Virtual worlds that are still active when the player is offline Instant gratification Autonomy Fulfillment derived by experiencing life through an avatar
THE ROLE OF DOPAMINE Gaming triggers a dopamine release A Dopamine reward motivates us to repeat the behaviour even when the behaviour becomes harmful Gaming provides an integrated experience suspense novelty music/ graphics achieving goals big and small unlocking more of the game/ gaining a level competing against other players disconnection from the real world Dopamine saturation can lead to changes in the brain Experience Peak levels of Dopamine and Heightened Sensitivity
Beyond a chance to win money something of value
Virtual Reality
RECOMMENDED LOW RISK VIDEO GAMING GUIDELINES No more than 40 minutes/night on school nights No more than 1 hour/day on weekends/vacations No games rated M Avoid games where a moral inversion present Avoid games where violence is depicted as fun, or funny Avoid games where real-world consequences of violence are lacking from the game No devices in bedroom
RISK FACTORS developmental stage (younger people are at higher risk) transitional age youth low self-esteem bullying family conflict access to technology perfectionism (neuroticism) poor social adjustment difficulty bouncing back/ resilience learning difficulties or exceptionalities (high IQ) low tolerance for boredom attachment issues history of trauma
COMMON CO-OCCURRING MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND RISK FACTORS Research indicates that people with problem technology use are more likely to have certain co-occurring mental health issues. Some common co-occurring mental health and neurodevelopmental disorders are: ADHD Anxiety (generalized and social phobia) Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Depression Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Grief/loss issues
CROWDING OUT EFFECT What is gaming/gambling displacing? Academic motivation- getting to the next level in the game results in a shift in motivation away from the real world to virtual world. Male adolescents are inclined to value and talk about successes in game rather than educational achievements. DR. Leonard Sax :-Boys Adrift Video games can warp your perception of effort, value, and reward Cam Adair- Game Quitters
GAMING AND GAMBLING CAN CHANGE THE BRAIN Prolonged and excessive consumption can lead to structural changes in the brain: Numbed pleasure response Hyper- reactivity to gaming and gambling Willpower erosion
SURVIVAL RELATIONSHIPS SHELTER SLEEP EAT GAMBLING/GAMING 28