Abstract
Current research examining gambling behaviors has tended to focus on structur-al features such as the “near miss” phenomenon. Until now this research has focused mainly on a near “win” situation and ignored what can be considered a near “loss” situation (Wohl & Enzle, 2003). The present study compared the effects of participants‟ (N=132) near win/loss situations when playing a Wheel of Fortune slot-machine program designed to manipulate near wins and near losses. Near win/loss events were presented at a rate of 15, 30, or 45 percent of the total trials during an acquisition phase. Participants experiencing near win situations at the 45% levels persisted in their gambling behaviors more than the participants in other conditions. A better understanding of the impact of the structural variables of a slot machine, such as a near win and loss events can help explain gamblers‟ continued tendencies to gamble.
Recommended Citation
Daugherty, Dustin and MacLin, Otto H.
(2007)
"Perceptions of Luck: Near Win and Near Loss Experiences,"
Analysis of Gambling Behavior: Vol. 1:
Iss.
2, Article 4.
Available at:
https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/agb/vol1/iss2/4
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