Gamblification: A key to understanding addictive behaviors!

As part of the seminar series organized by the Psychology PhD Program of the Institute of Social Sciences at Üsküdar University, the topic “From Gambling to the Dopamine Addiction Cycle” was addressed. The online seminar, designed for master’s and doctoral students, featured Prof. Onur Noyan, a psychiatry specialist from NPİSTANBUL Hospital. Noyan emphasized that gamblification is a reinforcing factor in addictive behaviors.

The seminar was attended online by Dr. Idil Arasan Doğan, faculty member of the Psychology Department at the Institute of Social Sciences, along with other academics.

The seminar was attended online by Dr. Idil Arasan Doğan, faculty member of the Psychology Department at the Institute of Social Sciences, along with other academics.

One of the focal points of the seminar was the relationship between the addiction cycle, brain mechanisms, and neurocognitive functions. In this context, the critical role of the dopamine system in this cycle was discussed from both behavioral and neurological perspectives.

Addiction is not exclusive to substance use…

Prof. Onur Noyan stressed that addiction is not limited to substance use, highlighting that non-substance addictions also share similar neurobiological foundations. He provided detailed insights into emotional and structural factors, the progression of the disorder, as well as evaluation and treatment processes.

Gamblification: A reinforcer of addictive behaviors

One of the prominent and debated concepts in the seminar was gamblification. With the increasing convergence of gambling and gaming phenomena, gamblification was identified as a factor that reinforces addictive behavior. Gamblification refers to the integration of game elements, such as reward systems, level progression, and point scoring, into non-game contexts. It was noted that the use of these mechanisms, especially in digital gambling platforms, deepens the addiction cycle.

Prof. Onur Noyan: “A crucial key to understanding addictive behavior”

Prof. Onur Noyan stated that the concept of gamblification offers a crucial key to understanding how addictive behaviors are evolving in the digital age. He explained that gamblification can trigger dopamine release by creating continuous stimulation and reward anticipation in users, which in turn reinforces addictive patterns.

The seminar concluded after a Q&A session.

 

Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)