Myths about Gambling
Myths of gambling very possibly cause deviance in one’s perception of reality, which lead an individual to gamble irrationally or addictively. For example:
Illusory Correlation
We often claim causality amongst things appearing simultaneously, regardless of relevance. However, there are certain probabilities in gambling. The illogical thoughts and placebo effects cannot change the probabilities!
Want to know more? Click to read our real stories now!
Gamblers’ Fallacy
Each bet is a random and independent event. Some believe that there are patterns in the occurrence of outcomes and therefore can be predicted. In fact, there are no patterns. The past events do not influence the future events.
Want to know more? Click to read our real stories now!
Confirmation Bias
Some people would first observe and make assumptions in gambling to make up a winning method. However, people are inclined to see pieces that support their presumptions, and ignore other factors and failures. It deludes gamblers to strongly believe in their ability to find out the winning method.
Want to know more? Click to read our real stories now!
Selective Memory
It is easy for us to remember something or someone that align with our belief, value and interests. Although this involuntary selection makes our life easier. We may only remember how easy it was to win in gambling but forget how painful it was to lose. Such selection in memory could attribute to our desire for unearned income. It may even mislead us to develop false hope of winning all our losses back!
Want to know more? Click to read our real stories now!
Attribution Bias
Self-serving bias is one of the psychological phenomena to understand causes of events and behaviours, which means one would easily relate his/her success to his/her personal characteristics, such as arithmetic ability, skills and experience, but blame external factors for his/her failure, such as environment, lack of luck and superstitions. This biased thoughts have profound implications on individual’s behaviour.
Want to know more? Click to read our real stories now!
Selective Perception
We often see or hear stories of few winners, but rarely about those many losers. As a result, people tend to think it is easy to win in gambling, which encourages a false concept in “Gambling little for entertainment, gambling more to buy apartments”.
Want to know more? Click to read our real stories now!
Illusion of Control
There are certain probabilities in gambling. The probability of each outcome of each gambling event is random and independent. It cannot be controlled by any action/ritual.
Want to know more? Click to read our real stories now!
Over Confidence
Having confidence is good, but being too confident may cause troubles. If one has too much confident in winning a bet that blinds him/her from risks, s/he may probably suffer great loss. If one treats an uncontrollable gambling activity as a business, they may not only lose money, but also friends and family.
Want to know more? Click to read our real stories now!
Denial of Loss
It is easy for us to accept things echoing our belief, and resist against things that contradict our expectations. With different attitudes and perspectives, we can see different sides of the same coin. Otherwise, we might only see what we want to see. In gambling, there is only win or lose. “Nearly win” is a delusion. Although it would be hard to admit our failures, the reluctance will likely further set us up to fail.
Want to know more? Click to read our real stories now!
The Only Way Out
Many gamblers are indebted because they have never faced their gambling disorder squarely. This situation pushes gamblers to believe that their financial problem can only be solved by winning a great sum of money. However, this only entraps an individual into committing undesirable behaviours including taking one’s life.
Want to know more? Click to read our real stories now!