1. A Pathways Model of Gambling
Blaszczynski & Nower (2002) proposed a Pathways Model of Problem and Pathological Gambling.
The model integrates biological, psychological and ecological variables that contribute to the development of pathological gambling.
The model includes three pathways leading to problem and pathological gambling:
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2. A Pathways Model of Gambling
Pathway 1 gamblers are behaviorally conditioned, and are characterized by an absence of premorbid psychopathology.
Pathway 2 gamblers present with emotional and biological vulnerabilities which contribute to their gambling.
Pathway 3 gamblers are distinguished by features of impulsivist traits and antisocial personality disorder.
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3. A Pathways Model of Gambling
Emotional Vulnerability
Biological Vulnerability
Pathway 1
PROBLEM & PATHOLOGICAL GAMBLING
Classical & Operant Conditioning
Habituation
Chasing
Ecological Factors
Impulsivist Traits
Pathway 3
Let us now go through
each pathway
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4. A Pathways Model of Gambling
Ecological Factors
» Increased availability
» Increased accessibility
Studies: Grun & McKeigue (2000); Shaffer et al. (1999)
Pathway 2
Emotional Vulnerability
Pathway 1
Biological Vulnerability
Classical & Operant Conditioning
Impulsivist Traits
Pathway 3
Habituation
Chasing
PROBLEM & PATHOLOGICAL GAMBLING
© POSbase 2005

5. A Pathways Model of Gambling
Ecological Factors
Classical & Operant Conditioning
Arousal/excitement:
» Subjective excitement
» Physiological arousal
Cognitive schemas:
» Irrational beliefs
» Illusion of control
» Biased evaluation
» Gambler’s fallacy
Pathway 2
Pathway 1
Emotional Vulnerability
Biological Vulnerability
Impulsivist Traits
Pathway 3
Habituation
Chasing
PROBLEM & PATHOLOGICAL GAMBLING
© POSbase 2005

6. A Pathways Model of Gambling
Emotional Vulnerability
Ecological Factors
Pathway 1
Biological Vulnerability
Classical & Operant Conditioning
Impulsivist Traits
Pathway 3
Habituation
» Pattern of habitual gambling established
Chasing
PROBLEM & PATHOLOGICAL GAMBLING
© POSbase 2005

7. A Pathways Model of Gambling
Emotional Vulnerability
Ecological Factors
Pathway 1
Biological Vulnerability
Classical & Operant Conditioning
Impulsivist Traits
Pathway 3
Habituation
Chasing
» Chasing wins, losses
» Losing more than expected
PROBLEM & PATHOLOGICAL GAMBLING
© POSbase 2005

8. A Pathways Model of Gambling
Emotional Vulnerability
Mood disturbance:
» Depression
» Anxiety
Poor coping/problem-solving:
» Life stresses
» Substance use
Childhood disturbance Personality:
» Risk taking
» Boredom proneness
Studies: Blaszczynski et al. (1997), Steel & Blaszczynski (1998)
Pathway 2
Ecological Factors
Pathway 1
Classical & Operant Conditioning
Impulsivist Traits
Habituation
Pathway 3
Biological Vulnerability
Chasing
PROBLEM & PATHOLOGICAL GAMBLING
© POSbase 2005

9. A Pathways Model of Gambling
Biological Vulnerability
Biochemical:
» Serotonergic
» Noradrenergic
» Dopaminergic
Cortical:
»EEG differentials
Study: Comings et al. (1996)
Emotional Vulnerability
Pathway 2
Ecological Factors
Pathway 1
Classical & Operant Conditioning
Habituation
Impulsivist Traits
Chasing
Pathway 3
PROBLEM & PATHOLOGICAL GAMBLING
© POSbase 2005

10. A Pathways Model of Gambling
Impulsivist Traits
Neuropsychological:
» ADHD
» Impulsivisity
Anti-social behaviour
Substance abuse
Studies: Alessi & Petry (2003), Blaszczynski et al. (1997), Steel & Baszczynski (1998)
Emotional Vulnerability
Biological Vulnerability
Pathway 2
Pathway 3
Ecological Factors
Pathway 1
Classical & Operant Conditioning
Habituation
Chasing
PROBLEM & PATHOLOGICAL GAMBLING
© POSbase 2005