Mecanismos cognitivos y toma de decisiones de riesgo en consumidores de cannabis

Abstract

The aim of this research was to study the influence of cannabis use in the decision-making processes. A computer version of the Iowa Gambling Task was used and the Prospect Valence Learning (PVL) probabilistic model was applied. 73 cannabis users and 73 non-users (control group) participated in the study. The software “Cartas”, in normal and reverse procedure, was used. Results show that the control group scores were higher than those of consumers, in the normal procedure. Besides, statistically significant differences are observed in two of the four PVL parameters: recency and loss aversion. In the reverse procedure, we lind smaller differences between groups. Only in the loss aversion PVL parameter was found statistically significant differences, although loss aversion was observed in both groups. Results in the normal procedure are consistent with previous research, as some relationships between drug use and alterations in the decision-making process were found. In contrast, the results in the inverse procedure are more complicated to compare due to the lack of similar studies. The influence of drug use in the decision-making processes is confirmed. The PVL parameters involved are different depending on the specific gain-loss program used