Trait gambling cognitions predict near-miss experiences and persistence in laboratory slot machine gambling

Adolescent; Adult; Analysis of Variance; Cognition; Female; Gambling; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Motivation; Pleasure; Psychological Tests; Reward; Young Adult

Abstract :

[en] 'Near-miss' outcomes (i.e., unsuccessful outcomes close to the jackpot) have been shown to promote gambling persistence. Although there have been recent advances in understanding the neurobiological responses to gambling near-misses, the psychological mechanisms involved in these events remain unclear. The goal of this study was to explore whether trait-related gambling cognitions (e.g., beliefs that certain skills or rituals may help to win in games of chance) influence behavioural and subjective responses during laboratory gambling. Eighty-four individuals, who gambled at least monthly, performed a simplified slot machine task that delivered win, near-miss, and full-miss outcomes across 30 mandatory trials followed by a persistence phase in extinction. Participants completed the Gambling-Related Cognitions Scale (GRCS; Raylu & Oei, 2004), as well as measures of disordered gambling (South Oaks Gambling Screen [SOGS]; Lesieur & Blume, 1987) and social desirability bias (DS-36; Tournois, Mesnil, & Kop, 2000). Skill-oriented gambling cognitions (illusion of control, fostered by internal factors such as reappraisal of losses, or perceived outcome sequences), but not ritual-oriented gambling cognitions (illusion of control fostered by external factors such as luck or superstitions), predicted higher subjective ratings of desire to play after near-miss outcomes. In contrast, perceived lack of self-control predicted persistence on the slot machine task. These data indicate that the motivational impact of near-miss outcomes is related to specific gambling cognitions pertaining to skill acquisition, supporting the idea that gambling near-misses foster the illusion of control. ©2011 The British Psychological Society.

Disciplines :

Neurosciences & behavior

Author, co-author :

Billieux, Joël; Université de Genève - UNIGE > Cognitive Psychopathology and Neuropsychology Unit

Van der Linden, Martial ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de Psychologie > Département de Psychologie

Khazaal, Yasser; Université de Genève - UNIGE > Division of Substance Abuse

Zullino, Daniele; Université de Genève - UNIGE > Division of Substance Abuse

Clark, Luke; University of Cambridge > Department of Experimental Psychology, Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute

Language :

English

Title :

Trait gambling cognitions predict near-miss experiences and persistence in laboratory slot machine gambling

Publication date :

2012

Journal title :

British Journal of Psychology

ISSN :

0007-1269

eISSN :

2044-8295

Publisher :

Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford, United Kingdom

Volume :

103

Issue :

Pages :

412-427

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Available on ORBi :

since 11 February 2020

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