- College of Health and Biomedicine
Victoria University,
PO Box 14428
Melbourne, Vic 8001
Australia - +61 3 9919 5098
- Victoria University, College of Health and Biomedicine, Faculty Memberadd
- Gambling and Culture, Gambling and Young People, Gambling Studies, Psychology, Cultural Competence, Cyberpsychology, and 6 moreCross-Cultural Psychology, Gambling and Cognition, Students’ And Immigrants’ Psychosocial Adjustment Processes, Addiction, Neurophysiology of addiction, and Adolescent Risk Seeking Behavioredit
- Dr Keis Ohtsuka is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology in the College of Health and Biomedicine and a research fellow at ... moreDr Keis Ohtsuka is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology in the College of Health and Biomedicine and a research fellow at the Institute for Health and Sport (iHeS) at Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia. His research interests include gambling and cultural beliefs, beliefs in luck and winning, superstition and risk-taking. Keis is an Editorial Board Member of the Journal of Concurrent Disorders (https://concurrentdisorders.ca/board-members/), and a scientific board member of Khat (Catha Edulis) and Ethnicity: An Interdisciplinary conference (online) November 26-27, 2021. Keis served as an Associate Editor of the International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction from 2020 to 2021. He was the Editor-in-Chief of the Asian Journal of Gambling Issues and Public Health (ISSN 2195-3007) URL: https://ajgiph.springeropen.com. Keis is a member of the National Association for Gambling Studies (Australia) and Australian Psychological Society, Ltd.edit
- Emeritus Professor William F. Breweredit
Research Interests:
Although Culturally And Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities participate less in gambling than the general population, those who gamble are more likely to show signs of disordered gambling (Moore and Ohtsuka International Gambling... more
Although Culturally And Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities participate less in gambling than the general population, those who gamble are more likely to show signs of disordered gambling (Moore and Ohtsuka International Gambling Studies, 1, 87-101, 2001; Raylu and Oei Clinical Psychology Review, 23, 1087-1114, 2004; Yamine and Thomas The impact of gaming on specific cultural groups, Victorian Casino and Gaming Authority, Melbourne, 2000). Research data on gambling problems and interventions in the Arab Australian community are extremely scarce. Therefore, this article will present an overview of the Arab Australian community and cultural issues regarding gambling within the Arab Australian community. Identifying these issues is important to work effectively with Arab Australians clients and those from other CALD backgrounds. The article also presents a conceptual review of peer-reviewed research articles on cultural competence in working with the Arab clients, the overview of...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
We investigated the role of global discourse organization on the comprehension of temporal order in narrative. We proposed three principles of discourse organization: (a) the immediate integration principle--- new event should be... more
We investigated the role of global discourse organization on the comprehension of temporal order in narrative. We proposed three principles of discourse organization: (a) the immediate integration principle--- new event should be integrated immediately with old information, (b) the consistency principle---a new event should be attached to a consistent locus, and (c) the isomorphism principle---discourse structure should match event structure. Five passages varying in discourse structure were presented auditorily, and the comprehension of the underlying event order was tested. Subjects' comprehension was best in the canonical passage. The backward, flashback, and embedded passages were significantly more difficult than the canonical passages. The flashforward passage was the most difficult. The results were interpreted as showing that the immediate integration principle is a strong component of comprehension of temporal order and that the isomorphism principle contributes to tex...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Student attrition in the first year of university is an issue of concern for many universities. Many factors influence attrition including academic preparedness and social adjustment difficulties. In this project we sought clarify factors... more
Student attrition in the first year of university is an issue of concern for many universities. Many factors influence attrition including academic preparedness and social adjustment difficulties. In this project we sought clarify factors that influence transition from the perspective of students and to implement strategies to address this issue. During first semester 2006, a series of strategies were implemented with the aim of better supporting first year psychology students' adjustment to university. These strategies included ...
Research Interests:
Although Culturally And Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities participate less in gambling than the general population, those who gamble are more likely to show signs of disordered gambling (Moore and Ohtsuka International Gambling... more
Although Culturally And Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities participate less in gambling than the general population, those who gamble are more likely to show signs of disordered gambling (Moore and Ohtsuka International Gambling Studies, 1, data on gambling problems and interventions in the Arab Australian community are extremely scarce. Therefore, this article will present an overview of the Arab Australian community and cultural issues regarding gambling within the Arab Australian community. Identifying these issues is important to work effectively with Arab Australians clients and those from other CALD backgrounds. The article also presents a conceptual review of peer‑reviewed research articles on cultural competence in working with the Arab clients, the overview of Arab migration history to Australia and a summary of recent events that suggest a tension between Arab and non‑Arab Australian communities. Observations and experiences that were encountered during the gambling counselling service operating in the Australian Arab community in New South Wales are also discussed. The research data to validate the effectiveness and positive impact of cultural competence are still in its early stages. However, a small number of community education resources have been available for working with the Arab community. From the data in annual reviews on the Arab Council Australia gambling counselling service, it was identified that cultural beliefs and expectations influence risk‑taking decisions, identification of gambling issues, and preference of help seeking within the client's social network. Further, culturally‑specific sensitive issues related to political and global security events, which in turn influenced openness and willingness for the help‑seeking of the Arab Austral‑ ians, were identified. In conclusion, we propose that recognising diversity within the Arab Australian community is a prerequisite for increasing cultural competence and cultural sensitivity for helping professionals working with Arab Australians.
What do Lebron James, a lucky coin and a smelly goat have in common? They are all part of a rich tradition of sports superstitions. Both athletes and fans alike have looked towards these superstitions, rituals and curses for explanations... more
What do Lebron James, a lucky coin and a smelly goat have in common? They are all part of a rich tradition of sports superstitions.
Both athletes and fans alike have looked towards these superstitions, rituals and curses for explanations about failures and successes. What is the science behind the belief that external forces can affect the outcome of a game?
Both athletes and fans alike have looked towards these superstitions, rituals and curses for explanations about failures and successes. What is the science behind the belief that external forces can affect the outcome of a game?
Research Interests:
The discourse of Australian young adults who gamble regularly was analysed to explore key dilemmas and challenges of a generation who grew up with the positive and negative impacts of gambling advertisements. Qualitative interviews of... more
The discourse of Australian young adults who gamble regularly was analysed to explore key dilemmas and challenges of a generation who grew up with the positive and negative impacts of gambling advertisements. Qualitative interviews of seven
young recreational gamblers who regularly frequent gaming machine venues were conducted. The discourse that they used to describe their gambling involvement, motivation, development and subjective views were analysed and three central repertoires: ‘Culture not self,’ ‘If it makes you happy,’ and ‘No problem here!’ were identified. The current findings demonstrate the participants’ attempts to understand and
legitimise their gambling. Further, it was suggested that young adults face a series of dilemmas when deciding whether to gamble and to what extent they gamble. Their discourse highlights the tension between individual agency, societal expectations and familial influence. The respondents primarily gambled for social reasons in a manner which they perceived as culturally acceptable. The importance of harm minimization
and public awareness campaigns directed at young adults was also discussed.
Keywords: Young adult gamblers, Discourse analysis, Social gambling,
Gambling culture
young recreational gamblers who regularly frequent gaming machine venues were conducted. The discourse that they used to describe their gambling involvement, motivation, development and subjective views were analysed and three central repertoires: ‘Culture not self,’ ‘If it makes you happy,’ and ‘No problem here!’ were identified. The current findings demonstrate the participants’ attempts to understand and
legitimise their gambling. Further, it was suggested that young adults face a series of dilemmas when deciding whether to gamble and to what extent they gamble. Their discourse highlights the tension between individual agency, societal expectations and familial influence. The respondents primarily gambled for social reasons in a manner which they perceived as culturally acceptable. The importance of harm minimization
and public awareness campaigns directed at young adults was also discussed.
Keywords: Young adult gamblers, Discourse analysis, Social gambling,
Gambling culture
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
This study investigates whether customer contact employees can identify difficulties in managing gambling behavior among the diverse groups of patrons that frequent gambling venues. The researchers recruited employees from non-casino... more
This study investigates whether customer contact employees can identify difficulties in managing gambling behavior among the diverse groups of patrons that frequent gambling venues. The researchers recruited employees from non-casino gambling venues located in areas with a high concentration of residents considered vulnerable to problem gambling. The results reveal that venue employees are capable of recognizing signs of difficulties in controlling time and money spent on gambling and can distinguish differences in behavior between age, gender and specific cultural groups. Young men emerged as most vulnerable to problem gambling, however, venue employees had little sympathy for these patrons. The study contributes to the literature on how recreational gamblers manage their gambling behaviour and has implications for venue management and gambling policy.
Keywords: Problem gambling, venue management, customer contact, culture, harm minimisation, control.
Keywords: Problem gambling, venue management, customer contact, culture, harm minimisation, control.
Research Interests:
Job satisfaction explains individuals’ reactions towards their jobs. Many studies find that job satisfaction is a well-known construct that is widely used to study work-related well-being; and contributes significantly to employees’... more
Job satisfaction explains individuals’ reactions towards their jobs. Many studies find that job satisfaction is a well-known construct that is widely used to study work-related well-being; and contributes significantly to employees’ overall quality of life. The current paper examines job satisfaction among Malaysian employees using the Job Satisfaction Survey (JSS). In particular, the present study compares the job satisfaction levels of Malaysian samples with those of a previously reported study involving samples from Singapore and the United States. Results of one sample t-test reveals statistically significant differences in pay, promotion, fringe benefits, contingent rewards, supervision, co-workers and nature of work subscales. No cultural influence exists between Malaysian and Singapore samples in terms of perceived operating conditions satisfaction. Similarly, no statistically significant difference exists between Malaysian and the United States perception towards the communication facet. Furthermore, the results of factor analysis support the previous study, suggesting possible cultural differences in the understanding of, and consensus regarding, the structure of the job satisfaction scale.
Research Interests:
"The meanings of gambling among senior gamblers in Hong Kong were investigated using semi-structured interviews based on an ethnographic approach. 18 senior gamblers (10 men; 8 women) over the age of 55 years were asked to describe their... more
"The meanings of gambling among senior gamblers in Hong Kong were investigated using semi-structured interviews based on an ethnographic approach. 18 senior gamblers (10 men; 8 women) over the age of 55 years were asked to describe their childhood, adolescent and early adult experience and developmental history of gambling and gambling trajectories. They also completed the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) of the Canadian Problem Gambling Index. Most senior gamblers (n=15) were non-problem gamblers, except 3 participants who were classified as pathological gamblers. The majority of the senior gamblers began their lifelong gambling career when they were young. Their family members often introduced the participants to gambling. Some participants reported that an early big win was a focal memorable experience in their early gambling history. Women played mahjong most frequently, whereas men gambled on horse races and sports betting such as football lotteries. The main motivation of gambling for older adult women was socialisation with friends, whereas older adult men were motivated to gamble because of potential financial gain. To senior women, games of mahjong with friends have provided an oasis and a comfort zone, within which they can find peace and comfort away from hustles of daily life. Cultural conditions in Hong Kong and their link to senior gambling have been also discussed.
Keywords: Senior gambling, Chinese gambling in Hong Kong, ethnographic approach, older adult gamblers"
Keywords: Senior gambling, Chinese gambling in Hong Kong, ethnographic approach, older adult gamblers"
Research Interests:
Anger has been shown to be a motivating factor in aggression and it is widely accepted that driving anger may lead to aggressive driving. However, the link between anger and aggressive driving is likely to be mediated by drivers’... more
Anger has been shown to be a motivating factor in aggression and it is widely accepted that driving anger may lead to aggressive driving. However, the link between anger and aggressive driving is likely to be mediated by drivers’ pre-existing cognitive biases and the subsequent situational evaluations made. This study investigated the extent to which optimism bias, illusion of control beliefs and driver anger predict self-reported hostile driving behaviours. A total of 220 licensed drivers (106 men; 114 women) completed a self-report questionnaire measuring trait driving anger, optimism bias, illusion of control and driving behaviour. Structural Equation Modelling showed that trait driving anger and illusion of control beliefs account for 37% of the variance in hostile driving behaviour scores. Optimism biases were unrelated to hostile driving behaviours. Thus, driving anger propensities and feelings of control over the situation, but not a general tendency to underestimate the likelihood of adverse outcomes, predict aggressive driving.
Keywords: Driving anger, Cognitive bias, Illusion of control, Aggressive driving, Optimism bias
Keywords: Driving anger, Cognitive bias, Illusion of control, Aggressive driving, Optimism bias
Research Interests:
Despite an increase in social diversity in recent years, the role of culture in gambling cognition and behaviour is not fully understood. Qualitative interviews examined subjective views of Australian poker machine (electronic gaming... more
Despite an increase in social diversity in recent years, the role of culture in gambling cognition and behaviour is not fully understood. Qualitative interviews examined subjective views of Australian poker machine (electronic gaming machine) gamblers from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds. A total of 49 Australian poker machine gamblers from CALD backgrounds (20 Chinese, 15 Vietnamese and 14 Greek Australians) were interviewed regarding their views on the concept of luck and winning, self control, subjective meanings of gambling and gaming venue service expectations. The current findings showed that the majority of poker machine gamblers from CALD backgrounds believed that the payout of poker machines occurred randomly. Luck was defined, therefore, as being at the right place at the right time when the poker machine pays out. However, a small number of interviewees maintained an optimistic view about achieving gambling wins by using a certain system. While experienced gamblers and those with secondary school qualification or lower regarded poker machine gambling as a random potluck, a few young players with university education subscribed to a more elaborate endorsement in favour of their own systems to win on the poker machine. Australian CALD gamblers valued friendly professional service from gaming venue staff (e.g., courteous customer service, affordable, quality food and drink, personal greetings using first names) but disliked intrusive or over-friendly interactions. Implications of the findings on the role of superstition and cognition on gamblers' beliefs are discussed.
Research Interests:
""The aim of the present study was to understand the clinical and social construction of pathological gamblers in Macau. In Macau, they are called Paichai (扒仔), which literally means “to grab money from others.” This article is a... more
""The aim of the present study was to understand the clinical and social construction of pathological gamblers in Macau. In Macau, they are called Paichai (扒仔), which literally means “to grab money from others.” This article is a qualitative enquiry into Paichais who gamble in the casinos daily, often for a prolonged period of time. Some Paichais are “resident” gamblers in the casinos who live on the complimentary food and drinks that the casinos provide and sleep on the couches inside the casino premises. To finance their gambling, they hustle and sometimes beg for money. Fifteen participants, ranging in age from 24 to 53 years, were recruited from the casinos in Macau who were repeatedly observed and interviewed. The emphasis of the interviews were to explore the participants’ accounts of how their gambling problem had developed and how gambling influenced their lives and their significant others. The Canadian Problem Gambling Index Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) (Ferris & Wynne, 2001) was used to assess their gambling status. Clinical assessment of the participants was based on the results of clinical interviews, observation notes and the scores on the PGSI. It was found that the majority of the participants could be classified as belonging to the antisocial-impulsive type according to the Blaszczynski and Nower (2002) pathways model of problem and pathological gambling. Paichais can be described as manipulative, cunning, impulsive, reckless and lacking the ability to reflect on their actions. The current study attempts to understand these individuals from the particular social and cultural perspectives of Macau.
Keywords: pathological gambling, Macau, Paichais, Chinese gambling""
Keywords: pathological gambling, Macau, Paichais, Chinese gambling""
Research Interests:
"The current study investigates if psychosocial work environment, organizational justice and work family conflict predict Malaysian workers’ wellbeing. The current study expands previous research by assessing wellbeing using composite... more
"The current study investigates if psychosocial work environment, organizational justice and work family conflict predict Malaysian workers’ wellbeing. The current study expands previous research by assessing wellbeing using composite measures of job satisfaction, life satisfaction, positive affect and negative affect as well as job affective wellbeing, psychological and spiritual wellbeing. One thousand one hundred and sixty five Malaysian workers in the manufacturing sector (551 men, 614 women, age range: 18-59 years) answered questionnaires. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicated that psychosocial work environment, organizational justice and work family conflict predicted wellbeing. With regard to ethnic and cultural differences in wellbeing, Indian-Malaysians reported significantly higher levels of wellbeing compared to Malays. However, Chinese-Malaysians were not different from Indian-Malaysians or Malays. There was no significant gender difference on wellbeing. The interpretation of this cultural difference requires caution due to the small number of Indian-Malaysians in the sample."
Research Interests:
Building and maintaining service quality is one means of retaining casino customers, and thus establishing competitive advantage. Conducted in Asia, the current study investigated the relationship between casino service quality, player... more
Building and maintaining service quality is one means of retaining casino customers, and thus establishing competitive advantage. Conducted in Asia, the current study investigated the relationship between casino service quality, player segments, and customer retention using tiered segmentation. The research involved the conduct of 40 in-depth interviews with gamblers from different segments. The results provide insights into how the various tiers of casino player perceive the key dimensions of service quality and how such perceptions affect future purchase intentions. A number of significant implications are identified for casino managers.
The Job Demand-Control (JDC) and Job Demand-Control-Support (JDCS) models are among the most widely used theoretical frameworks that relate the characteristics of a job to health and wellbeing. The purpose of this paper is to review... more
The Job Demand-Control (JDC) and Job Demand-Control-Support (JDCS) models are among the most widely used theoretical frameworks that relate the characteristics of a job to health and wellbeing. The purpose of this paper is to review studies on these models, which are well recognised job stress theories in western cultural settings. Generally, the review finds that psychosocial work environment variables of high job demands, low job control and low social support are consistently associated with workers’ high strain or low wellbeing. However, two-way and three-way interactive predictors reveal contradictory findings and moderating hypotheses receive modest support from the literature. The review provides insights into the need for further investigation of these models in different cultural settings, such as the collectivist culture of Malaysia, to further understanding of the cross-cultural applications of JDC and JDCS models.
"This study investigated the pathway to development of problem gambling in treatment-seeking gamblers attending a self-help group in Hong Kong. A total of 17 problem gamblers (15 men, 2 women; aged from 22 to 58 years) were interviewed... more
"This study investigated the pathway to development of problem gambling in treatment-seeking gamblers attending a self-help group in Hong Kong. A total of 17 problem gamblers (15 men, 2 women; aged from 22 to 58 years) were interviewed and categorized according to the Blaszczynski and Nower (2002) pathways model. It was found that the majority of treatment-seeking gamblers were behaviorally conditioned gamblers. Gamblers of this type often reported an early involvement in gambling during childhood as part of family activities. They recalled an early win in their gambling history. Unlike gamblers with emotional problems in the Wood and Griffiths (2007) study, behaviorally conditioned gamblers exhibited little or no emotional problems before the onset of gambling problems. Further, their excessive gambling appears to be confounded with poor decision-making and a lack of effective coping skills. The findings of the current study also highlight the importance of family upbringing in the development of problem gambling.
Key words Chinese gamblers • Gambling pathways model • Problem gambling"
Key words Chinese gamblers • Gambling pathways model • Problem gambling"
Research Interests:
This study aims to investigate the characterization of male gamblers in popular Hong Kong movies in the past 50 years. A total of nine Hong Kong films with gambling themes were selected for analysis. The criteria for selection of the... more
This study aims to investigate the characterization of male gamblers in popular Hong Kong movies in the past 50 years. A total of nine Hong Kong films with gambling themes were selected for analysis. The criteria for selection of the films were as follows: the movies in which the protagonists are portrayed by well known Hong Kong actors that attracted a wide spectrum of the audience in the community. Out of such criteria, six male actors, each representing a legend at their times, were selected in the current analysis. Psychological analysis of the characters portrayed in the Hong Kong movies suggests a shift of the emphasis from the moral integrity and social responsibility to the individual pursuit of monetary gains as the dominant theme of the movie and a component of the characterization of the protagonists. Further, the particular cultural and social conditions of Hong Kong society in each decade may have significant bearings on cultural characterization of male heroes. We argue that the male characterization of gamblers in the Hong Kong movies might as well be a crystallization of public fantasies and wishes.
Research Interests:
"One hundred and fifty eight mahjong players in Macau completed a questionnaire on superstitious beliefs and the Canadian Problem Gambling Index (CPGI). It was hypothesised that mahjong superstition and education level would predict... more
"One hundred and fifty eight mahjong players in Macau completed a questionnaire on superstitious beliefs and the Canadian Problem Gambling Index (CPGI). It was hypothesised that mahjong superstition and education level would predict problem gambling. Problem gamblers scored significantly higher on superstitious beliefs than non-problem gamblers. A hierarchical regression analysis indicates that education level and mahjong superstition together predict problem gambling. The largest portion of the variance in problem gambling was accounted for by superstition. However, demographic predictors such as sex, age group, income, and relationship status were unrelated to problem gambling. Further, a logistic regression analysis showed that mahjong superstition scores correctly classified 95.1 % of problem gamblers and 93.4% of non- problem gamblers. The current findings suggest that superstitious beliefs may play a significant role in the maintenance of problem mahjong gambling.
(Word count: 134 words)
Keywords: cultural influence on gambling, superstition, Chinese mahjong gambling."
(Word count: 134 words)
Keywords: cultural influence on gambling, superstition, Chinese mahjong gambling."
Research Interests:
This article examines Vietnamese Australian gamblers’ views on luck and winning to explore their subjective perspectives. Illusion of control beliefs have been identified as a predictor of gambling frequency and a risk factor for problem... more
This article examines Vietnamese Australian gamblers’ views on luck and winning to explore their subjective perspectives. Illusion of control beliefs have been identified as a predictor of gambling frequency and a risk factor for problem gambling. Culture-specific beliefs regarding luck and winning may further strengthen universal illusion of control beliefs. Twenty-one Vietnamese-Australian gamblers were interviewed with regard to their subjective views of luck and winning at gambling. It was hypothesized that regular gamblers would hold substantial illusion of control beliefs, that culture-specific schemas would be present in their beliefs about gambling outcomes, and that universal schemas commonly found in gamblers from other cultural backgrounds would also be present. The results indicated that Vietnamese Australian gamblers held both universal illusion of control beliefs and some culture-specific beliefs. The implications of culture-specific schemas in reinforcing illusion of control beliefs are discussed.
"This article examines portrayals of female gamblers in recent Hong Kong movies. The authors report that the depiction of female gamblers is very different from that of male gamblers in the movies made in the same period. Whereas the male... more
"This article examines portrayals of female gamblers in recent Hong Kong movies. The authors report that the depiction of female gamblers is very different from that of male gamblers in the movies made in the same period. Whereas the male gamblers are pitching a lonely and desperate battle against an evil opponent, the female gamblers portrayed in the movies are housewives or small-time players who gamble only for their personal gain. A generally negative overtone in portrayals of female gamblers was interpreted as a reflection of the traditional view that discourages women from gambling. The shift of gambling themes in the Hong Kong movies has been identified to reflect the most salient concerns among Hong Kong residents. Such changes are attributed to particular social and cultural changes in the community.
Keywords Cultural influence on gambling - Female gamblers portrayed in Hong Kong movies - Sex differences in gambling behaviour - Media and gambling"
Keywords Cultural influence on gambling - Female gamblers portrayed in Hong Kong movies - Sex differences in gambling behaviour - Media and gambling"
Research Interests:
This paper will examine work family conflict and its impacts on employee wellbeing. Because of a recent change in workforce demographics that show increasing female participation, work family conflict and work performance has become the... more
This paper will examine work family conflict and its impacts on employee wellbeing. Because of a recent change in workforce demographics that show increasing female participation, work family conflict and work performance has become the issue of concern in South-East Asian countries. Indeed, previous studies highlighted the evidence of multiple roles creating conflicts that have a severe impact on employee wellbeing (Alpert & Culbertson, 1987; Frone, Russell, & Cooper, 1992).
Student attrition in the first year of university is an issue of concern for many universities. Many factors influence attrition including academic preparedness and social adjustment difficulties. In this project we sought clarify factors... more
Student attrition in the first year of university is an issue of concern for many universities. Many factors influence attrition including academic preparedness and social adjustment difficulties. In this project we sought clarify factors that influence transition from the perspective of students and to implement strategies to address this issue. During first semester 2006, a series of strategies were implemented with the aim of better supporting first year psychology students' adjustment to university.
This study explored (a) whether gamblers' coping styles could successfully predict problem gambling within a poker machine playing population across Victoria; and (b) whether adding motivational factors to the prediction model comprising... more
This study explored (a) whether gamblers' coping styles could successfully predict problem gambling within a poker machine playing population across Victoria; and (b) whether adding motivational factors to the prediction model comprising coping style variables could improve the prediction of problem gambling.
The objectives of the current study were to investigate the utility of video games to enhance dual attention skills and compare these skills based on individuals' levels of expertise in video game playing. Twenty-four female participants... more
The objectives of the current study were to investigate the utility of video games to enhance dual attention skills and compare these skills based on individuals' levels of expertise in video game playing. Twenty-four female participants aged between 17-25 years categorized as experts or novices, were divided into experimental and control groups. All participants completed the pre-test of divided attention wherein they read a story at the same time as they copied down irrelevant words dictated by the experimenter.
As more gambling venues open in Australia, youth gambling as problem behaviour has been identified. The aim of this study was to assess youth gambling in a population with easy access to gambling, and to evaluate the adequacy of a model... more
As more gambling venues open in Australia, youth gambling as problem behaviour has been identified. The aim of this study was to assess youth gambling in a population with easy access to gambling, and to evaluate the adequacy of a model for predicting adolescent gambling frequency and problem gambling. The model comprised a combination of the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) (Ajzen & Fishbein, 1980), personality variables (venturesomeness, impulsiveness), and cognitive bias variables derived from Weinstein's (1980) propositions concerning unrealistic optimism about future life events. A sample of 1017 school- and university-based adolescents indicated relatively low frequencies of gambling and low scores on the problem gambling scale, with males scoring higher than females on both measures. The TRA was supported with about 30% of the variance of each of gambling behaviour and problem gambling accounted for by intentions, attitudes, and subjective norms. Personality factors added significantly to the prediction of gambling. The cognitive bias variables, although independently not statistically significant, further contributed to prediction.
Investigated among game machine users in a major city in Australia whether (a) more females than males exhibited symptoms of pathological gambling, (b) females reported higher guilt associated with their gambling, and (c) gamblers'... more
Investigated among game machine users in a major city in Australia whether (a) more females than males exhibited symptoms of pathological gambling, (b) females reported higher guilt associated with their gambling, and (c) gamblers' self-assessment on several mood states was predictive of pathological gambling. A modified version of the South Oaks Gambling Screen (H. R. Lesieur and S. B. Blume, 1987) was administered to 104 users of game machines (44 males [aged 30–39 yrs], 60 females [aged 20–29 yrs]). Data indicate no significant sex difference in the proportion of pathological gamblers or in gambling-related guilt. Self-- assessment of Happiness, Propensity for Boredom, and Loneliness, significantly predicted scores on the South Oaks Gambling Screen, with Unhappiness a significant independent predictor of pathological gambling. Results may suggest that gambling acts to fill a need in the lives of unhappy people or that individuals who lack control over their gambling report higher unhappiness.
Research Interests:
This study examined whether and to what extent the characteristics of mental models derived from the identical text, which is known to produce a certain type of mental model, are influenced if the subjects are given different task... more
This study examined whether and to what extent the characteristics of mental models derived from the identical text, which is known to produce a certain type of mental model, are influenced if the subjects are given different task expectations before the reading session. Seventy-one undergraduates read one of the two text genres, descriptive or narrative, that were based on the same underlying spatial configuration and later answered three types of inference questions about spatial information.
This study examined:(1) how and to what extent text genres influence the characteristics of mental models readers build from text;(2) whether the characteristics of mental models change if the subjects know the nature of questions that... more
This study examined:(1) how and to what extent text genres influence the characteristics of mental models readers build from text;(2) whether the characteristics of mental models change if the subjects know the nature of questions that will follow the reading session. Seventy undergraduates, read one of the three text genres, descriptive, procedural, or narrative that were based on the same underlying information and later answered three types of inference questions about spatial information.
This study applies the reader-response techniques developed by Brewer and Lichtenstein to natural texts and uses the data to test their structural-affect theory. This paper extends the earlier work of Brewer and Ohtsuka on Hungarian and... more
This study applies the reader-response techniques developed by Brewer and Lichtenstein to natural texts and uses the data to test their structural-affect theory. This paper extends the earlier work of Brewer and Ohtsuka on Hungarian and American short stories. In the present study we had American subjects read Hungarian and American short stories and then fill out a series of scales designed to measure affect (suspense, surprise) and other aspects of the reader's responses to the texts. We included new scales designed to measure character goodness and character outcome and used these scales to study our readers' just world beliefs. Overall, we found that suspense and just world beliefs play a large role in determining story liking, as predicted by the structural-affect theory. In addition, we found some differences between the American and the Hungarian stories and between the older (1910–1939) and the more recent (1940–1969) stories. However, due to our small sample of stories (24) we remain cautious about drawing inferences from these differences.
Research Interests:
We investigated the role of global discourse organization on the comprehension of temporal order in narrative. We proposed three principles of discourse organization: (a) the immediate integration principle--- new event should be... more
We investigated the role of global discourse organization on the comprehension of temporal order in narrative. We proposed three principles of discourse organization: (a) the immediate integration principle--- new event should be integrated immediately with old information, (b) the consistency principle---a new event should be attached to a consistent locus, and (c) the isomorphism principle---discourse structure should match event structure. Five passages varying in discourse structure were presented auditorily, and the comprehension of the underlying event order was tested. Subjects' comprehension was best in the canonical passage. The backward, flashback, and embedded passages were significantly more difficult than the canonical passages. The flashforward passage was the most difficult. The results were interpreted as showing that the immediate integration principle is a strong component of comprehension of temporal order and that the isomorphism principle contributes to text comprehension, but to a lesser degree.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Abstract: Using experimental narratives in which discourse order and event order were not confounded, a study investigated the role of global discourse organization on the comprehension of narrative texts. Subjects, 100 college students,... more
Abstract: Using experimental narratives in which discourse order and event order were not confounded, a study investigated the role of global discourse organization on the comprehension of narrative texts. Subjects, 100 college students, listened to tape recorded passages representing five types of discourse organization: canonical, backward, flashback, embedded, and flashforward.