Mark Griffiths is Director of the International Gaming Research Unit at Nottingham Trent University and one of the foremost experts on the psychology of addictive behaviors, particularly gambling and excessive internet use. A Fellow of the British Psychological Society and the Royal Society of Arts, he is the recipient of numerous prestigious career and research awards, including a lifetime achievement award from the US Institute for the Study of Gambling and Commercial Gaming for his "pioneering contributions to the field of youth gambling". He has chaired or served on over 20 national and international committees in his chosen fields, and has advised numerous governments (in Europe, North America and Australia) on gambling issues. This volume in the World Library of Psychologists series presents a carefully selected set of highlights from Professor Griffiths' 500+ articles to provide a summary of his thought and an important guide to the psychology of behavioral and technological addiction. Following a new introduction from the author, its opening part considers addiction in a general sense, with subsequent sections devoted to gambling addiction (online and offline), gaming and internet addiction. Taken as a whole, they provide a unique snapshot of the field that will indispensable to scholars, researchers and students of the psychology of addictive behavior.

Author Biography

Mark Griffiths is Director of the International Gaming Research Unit at Nottingham Trent University and one of the foremost experts on the psychology of addictive behaviors, particularly gambling and excessive internet use. Career achievements: John Rosecrance Research Prize for 'Outstanding scholarly contributions to the field of gambling research' (Awarded by The Institute for the Study of Gambling and Commercial Gaming (June 1994). CELEJ Prize for the best academic paper on gambling ('Gambling research, gambling technology and other issues of concern: Prospects for the future of problem gambling'). Awarded by the Spanish Centre for Legal Studies on Gaming (El Centro de Estudios de LegislaciA(3)n Sobre el Juego) (September 1998). International Excellence Award for gambling research. Awarded by the Responsible Gaming Council (Canada). Given for aEUROoethe extraordinary contribution made to problem gambling over many yearsaEURO (September 2003). Joseph Lister Prize by the British Association for the Advancement of Science. Each year the BA presents awards to five outstanding science communicators. Awarded for outstanding scientific communication in the Social Sciences (September 2004). Excellence in Teaching of Psychology Award: Awarded by the British Psychological Society for aEUROoedistinguished contributions in the teaching of psychologyaEURO (March 2006). Fellowship Award: Awarded by the British Psychological Society for aEUROoeexceptional contributions to psychologyaEURO (March 2006). Lifetime Achievement Award For Contributions To The Field Of Youth Gambling: Awarded by the US Institute for the Study of Gambling and Commercial Gaming /International Centre for Youth Gambling (McGill University) aEUROoein recognition of his dedication, leadership, and pioneering contributions to the field of youth gamblingaEURO (May 2006). Fellowship Award: Awarded by the Royal Society of Arts for aEUROoeachieving eminence in their chosen profession or calling" (December, 2007) NCPG Research Award: Awarded by the US National Council on Problem Gambling for aEUROoean outstanding body of research on problem gamblingaEURO (June 2009). Professor Griffiths has served on and / or chaired over 20 national and international committees (e.g. European Association for the Study of Gambling, Society for the Study of Gambling, Gamblers Anonymous General Services Board, National Council on Gambling, Gamcare). He has been an adviser on gambling issues to many Government bodies including those in the UK, Australia, Canada, Israel, Finland, Sweden and Norway. He has appeared on over 2,000 radio and television programmes since 1988. He has been the keynote speaker at international gambling and gaming conferences in over 20 countries. Editorial Board Member: International Gambling Studies Editorial Board Member: Journal of Gambling Issues Editorial Board Member: International Journal of Casino and Business Editorial Board Member: International Journal of Cyber Behavior, Psychology and Learning Editorial Board Member: Aloma: Revista de Psicologia