Gambling Behavior in the United States: A Data-Driven Learning Guide

Goal & Concept

Goal

The goal of this exercise is to explore gambling behavior and characteristics of gamblers in the United States. Frequencies, crosstabulation, and bar charts will be used. This exercise will also illustrate the role of confounding variables in statistical relationships.

Concept

Deviant behavior is socially and culturally defined. Behaviors considered deviant in one society may be viewed as quite harmless in another. A behavior may even be defined as deviant when one type of person does it, but not when another type of person does. In the United States, gambling is subject to similar socially constructed definitions of deviance. Gambling is closely regulated by the state and legalized forms of gambling are often considered socially acceptable, while illegal forms are not. Gambling is most often considered deviant when it is taken to extremes; compulsive or problem gambling, like substance abuse, is stigmatized in the United States.

Examples of possible research questions about gambling behavior:

• How many people gamble?
• What types of gambling are most popular?
• Does gambling behavior differ by gender?
• Is income level related to gambling behavior?
• How many people are problem gamblers?
• Is gambling related to substance use?
• How are gambling and mental health related?

Goal & Concept - Dataset - Application - Interpretation & Summary - Bibliography