@phdthesis{Ulrich2016,
  author    = {Ulrich, Natalie},
  title     = {Processing of Near Outcomes and Outcome Sequences in Gambling: Implications for the Biopsychological Basis of Problem Gambling},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-139612},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {Gambling is a popular activity in Germany, with 40\% of a representative sample reporting having gambled at least once in the past year (Bundeszentrale f{\"u}r gesundheitliche Aufkl{\"a}rung, 2014). While the majority of gamblers show harmless gambling behavior, a subset develops serious problems due to their gambling, affecting their psychological well-being, social life and work. According to recent estimates, up to 0.8\% of the German population are affected by such pathological gambling. People in general and pathological gamblers in particular show several cognitive distortions, that is, misconceptions about the chances of winning and skill involvement, in gambling. The current work aimed at elucidating the biopsychological basis of two such kinds of cognitive distortions, the illusion of control and the gambler's and hot hand fallacies, and their modulation by gambling problems. Therefore, four studies were conducted assessing the processing of near outcomes (used as a proxy for the illusion of control) and outcome sequences (used as a proxy for the gambler's and hot hand fallacies) in samples of varying degrees of gambling problems, using a multimethod approach. The first study analyzed the processing and evaluation of near outcomes as well as choice behavior in a wheel of fortune paradigm using electroencephalography (EEG). To assess the influence of gambling problems, a group of problem gamblers was compared to a group of controls. The results showed that there were no differences in the processing of near outcomes between the two groups. Near compared to full outcomes elicited smaller P300 amplitudes. Furthermore, at a trend level, the choice behavior of participants showed signs of a pattern opposite to the gambler's fallacy, with longer runs of an outcome color leading to increased probabilities of choosing this color again on the subsequent trial. Finally, problem gamblers showed smaller feedback-related negativity (FRN) amplitudes relative to controls. The second study also targeted the processing of near outcomes in a wheel of fortune paradigm, this time using functional magnetic resonance imaging and a group of participants with varying degrees of gambling problems. The results showed increased activity in the bilateral superior parietal cortex following near compared to full outcomes. The third study examined the peripheral physiology reactions to near outcomes in the wheel of fortune. Heart period and skin conductance were measured while participants with varying degrees of gambling problems played on the wheel of fortune. Near compared to full outcomes led to increased heart period duration shortly after the outcome. Furthermore, heart period reactions and skin conductance responses (SCRs) were modulated by gambling problems. Participants with high relative to low levels of gambling problems showed increased SCRs to near outcomes and similar heart period reactions to near outcomes and full wins. The fourth study analyzed choice behavior and sequence effects in the processing of outcomes in a coin toss paradigm using EEG in a group of problem gamblers and controls. Again, problem gamblers showed generally smaller FRN amplitudes compared to controls. There were no differences between groups in the processing of outcome sequences. The break of an outcome streak led to increased power in the theta frequency band. Furthermore, the P300 amplitude was increased after a sequence of previous wins. Finally, problem gamblers compared to controls showed a trend of switching the outcome symbol relative to the previous outcome symbol more often. In sum, the results point towards differences in the processing of near compared to full outcomes in brain areas and measures implicated in attentional and salience processes. The processing of outcome sequences involves processes of salience attribution and violation of expectations. Furthermore, problem gamblers seem to process near outcomes as more win-like compared to controls. The results and their implications for problem gambling as well as further possible lines of research are discussed.},
  subject      = {Spielsucht},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Fischbach2005,
  author    = {Fischbach, Christine},
  title     = {Die Psychobiologie des Hans Lungwitz (1881 - 1967) im Spiegel der Rezensionen},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-16718},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2005},
  abstract  = {Der Arzt und Philosoph Hans Lungwitz (1881-1967) schuf nach Jahren der T{\"a}tigkeit als Sozialreformer und praktischer Arzt und nach intensiver Auseinandersetzung mit der Psychoanalyse eine eigene Weltanschauungslehre, die Psychobiologie, deren Kernst{\"u}ck die L{\"o}sung des Leib-Seele-Problems bildet. Die Entstehung des Bewusstseins ist Lungwitz zufolge an die Hirnfunktionen gekoppelt und damit rein biologischer Natur - die Seele ist nicht existent. Auf insgesamt mehr als 5000 Seiten - in einem achtb{\"a}ndigen ,Lehrbuch der Psychobiologie' sowie drei weiteren B{\"u}chern - wandte er seine Erkenntnisse auf s{\"a}mtliche Natur-, Geistes- und Sozialwissenschaften an und entwickelte eine eigene Form der Psychotherapie, die er Erkenntnistherapie nannte und mit der er vierzig Jahre lang Patienten behandelte. Trotz zahlreicher Anstrengungen gelang es ihm nicht, seine Lehre zu etablieren. In dieser Arbeit wird die Resonanz auf die Psychobiologie Lungwitz' in Form von binnen f{\"u}nfzig Jahren in Fachzeitschriften und in der Tagespresse erschienener Rezensionen untersucht. Des weiteren werden m{\"o}gliche Gr{\"u}nde f{\"u}r den ausgebliebenen Durchbruch der Psychobiologie er{\"o}rtert.},
  language  = {de}
}
@phdthesis{Miener2005,
  author    = {Miener, Matthias},
  title     = {Hans Lungwitz (1881-1967) - Arzt und Schriftsteller},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-17946},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2005},
  abstract  = {Hans Lungwitz, Arzt, Schriftsteller, Psychobiologie, Biographie, Theaterst{\"u}cke: "Der S{\"u}ndenfall", "Die Het{\"a}re", "Gunhilds Traum", "Der Prophet im Vaterlande", "soziale" Romane: "F{\"u}hrer der Menschheit?", "Der letzte Arzt", "Neurosekundliche" Romane: "Lamias Leidenschaft", "Welt und Winkel", "Die Het{\"a}re", Rezensionen, autobiographische Elemente, medizinische Aspekte},
  language  = {de}
}