The Psychology of Gambling
For the most part, there are two predominant and dichotomic views on the effect that Gambling may have on the psychological makeup of the human being...
1. Gambling, in all its forms, is a deviant behavior.
2. Gambling is simply an extension of normal human behavior.
As you can see, these are very opposing views of gambling, but in all probability, the Psychology of Gambling can be best understood by examining the extreme views regarding what gambling is, and what it means to the individual.
What Gambling is...
There are a large number of individuals within our society that believe gambling, in all its forms, is indeed abnormal behavior and detrimental to an individuals own self interest. The fact is, those that buy into such a belief tend to focus their concern and interest on the more unconventional aspects of gambling, such as the criminal element and the revenue from gambling to support illegal activities. This angle of focus and attention leads to a somewhat misguided perspective of gambling, and what it actually means to an individual.
Because they are unfamiliar with the concept of gambling as a whole, they will even question the act of risking money on uncertainties, such as the stock market. They simply fail to understand the concept of, and complexities of making speculations about things such as the economy, and in taking calculated risks with investments.
As to their definition of gambling, it's difficult to be sure what they consider gambling to be... as conventionally defined, or 'unreasonable risk taking'. Differentiation between what this group considers to be reasonable and unreasonable often rests on their belief system. Beliefs such as...
- Whether or not work is productive
- Whether forfeitures made due to bad judgement or bad decision making can ever be regained
- Whether or not the actual decision making process is based on concrete and sound evidence
- Whether intelligent investment strategy is voluntary or demanded by accepted 'normal' practice
Gambling, a Psychologists Perspective...
When it comes clinically diagnosing gamblers, particularly the Problem Gambler and Gambling Addiction, psychologists and behavioral scientists have interesting ideas, to say the least.
Some psychologists and behavioral scientists believe gambling is an expression of a pathological and/or neurotic individual. An expression that can only be treated by psychological reformation through treatment. Such reformation includes encouragement to use introspection to look at their childhood, current fears and past hardships, together with the use of prescription drugs. Some psychologists even go so far as to claim that "Lady Luck" symbolically replaces a gamblers mother, or represents the motherhood state in general.
Some psychologists and behavioral scientists believe gamblers cannot quit while they are winning because of a deep, subconscious desire to actually lose their money. This is presumed to be an act of self punishment for unresolved tensions and internal conflicts in their lives. In essence, what they are claiming is that on a deep psychological level, these clinically diagnosed gamblers really want to lose all their money so that they can reach a state of nothingness and despair...
All brought on by some pseudo past action that the gambler has not yet resolved in his or her subconscious, thus resulting in an overwhelming sense of guilt, and need for self destruction.
Wow, now I'm no shrink, but if you actually believe some of this stuff, I've got a bridge "Over the River Qui" I'd like to sell you!
If you ask me, the most likely reason some gamblers don't know when to quit while winning, is that they are getting so much pleasure from winning that they want more. And likewise, some gamblers simply can't quit when they are losing, because the pain of losing is so intense that they feel a desperate need to win back their loses. It's that simple... the two most motivating forces in the universe, for any human individual, are Pain and Pleasure!
Fortunately, for the vast majority of gamblers, good self control, basic game strategy, understanding the rules of play, knowing what our personal gambling objectives are, and the discipline to quit when its time to (whether winning or losing) is all it takes to enjoy the entertainment provided by the gambling experience, regardless of your gambling game of choice... and hopefully come out ahead more often than not.
Gambling, a more Balanced Perspective...
When you see gambling more as a 'natural extension of what it means to live and be human', rather than some misguided and deviant behavior, the motives for gambling become much more instinctual, natural and rational. In this light, gambling is simply a leisure activity that happens to provide an opportunity for material gain, as well as the risk of loss. Isn't that the basis of why gambling is exciting.... I mean what other form of entertainment can get the adrenalin flowing the way that gambling does, especially when you win, and the fact that gambling games are somewhat frivolous is precisely what makes them enjoyable to many a gambler.
Now, most psychologists and behavioral scientists agree that leisure activity is essential to living and experiencing a well balanced, long and healthy life. And there is no doubt that the idea of betting money and the idea of gambling is both tempting and exhilarating, a feeling that is not exclusive to just gamblers.
As for wanting to lose? True, more often than not, a gambler will continue betting after losing money on a bad wager (as opposed to a pathological decision), in the hopes of recovering their losses. So, is it really a pathological decision to lose, or is it simply a desperate attempt at recovering from what may have been bad judgement? Bad judgement, in that perhaps the gambler has already over stepped their own predetermined Personal Loss Limits and have not been so disciplined in sticking to the Basic Strategy of their Gambling Game of choice.
For most of us that do gamble, we do it simply for the entertainment value that gambling has to offer. If we win... Great! If we lose... No problem! Because we stuck to our preset gambling goals. Specifically, our Betting Strategy and loss limit. The entertainment aspect of gambling, although different for the Online Gambler than the land-based Gambling Casino goer, is an essential element of both gambling ventures.
Finally, those opposed to governmental attacks against gambling, state that the main reason gambling is sometimes associated with crime is because many governments use propaganda tactics to give gambling a criminal definition, rather than one befitting a simple, everyday activity that has been with us for thousands of years!
After all, gambling artifacts have been recovered from ancient China, dating back to 2300 B.C., and ivory dice dating to before 1500 B.C. were salvaged from Thebes. So yes, in existance throughout the ages, gambling has been present within the culture of most civilizations, in one form or another, throughout human history.
No wonder that gambling is such a normal, natural, human thing to do...
True Psychology of Gambling
The psychology of gambling is best understood by examining the most extreme of views, as to what gambling really is, and what it means to the gambler. On one hand, there are those who view gambling as a disease and a sickness, an activity to be avoided at all cost. On the other hand, there are those who see gambling so involved in and integral to the daily affairs of humans, that it requires no interpretation or judgement at all, for it is integral to what it means to be human.
It is finding a position on the issue of gambling that lands somewhere between these two extremes, whether balanced or not, that has been the goal of governments in those countries where gambling is legal or at least tolerated. Perhaps that common ground will be found, perhaps not, but it's likely that gambling in its current forms, and in forms yet to be devised, will be with us for a very, very long time indeed!
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