Abstract
This study assessed adherence to the law of contagion by 118 undergraduate students (39 males). Participants were students
who played a slot machine game after viewing a prior player who seemed to be winning (“lucky” condition) or losing (“unlucky”
condition). Adherence to the law of contagion was assessed by the selection of the coin holder used by a “lucky” prior player
and the avoidance of the coin holder used by an “unlucky” prior player. Contagion varied directly with scores on the Problem
Gambling Severity Index and scores on the Luck/Perseverance subscale of the Gamblers’ Belief Questionnaire (Steenbergh et
al. in Psychol Addict Behav 16(2):143–149, 2002). Gamblers high in problem severity chose the “lucky” coin holder and avoided the “unlucky” coin holder significantly more
than gamblers low in problem severity. Problem gamblers, therefore, exhibit evidence of magical thinking related to the transfer
of a “lucky” essence. The same was the case for individuals with a strong level of belief that sheer continuation in gambling
(luck perseverance) results in success and for individuals who believe that luck is a personal rather than a situational characteristic.
All three variables (problem gambling severity, luck perseverance and personal luck) had direct effects on behavior reflecting
irrational magical thinking. A belief that knowledge or skill has a role in successful gaming was unrelated to magical thinking.
These findings suggest potential foci for cognitive interventions with problem gamblers and those with non-skill based evidence
of irrational thinking.
who played a slot machine game after viewing a prior player who seemed to be winning (“lucky” condition) or losing (“unlucky”
condition). Adherence to the law of contagion was assessed by the selection of the coin holder used by a “lucky” prior player
and the avoidance of the coin holder used by an “unlucky” prior player. Contagion varied directly with scores on the Problem
Gambling Severity Index and scores on the Luck/Perseverance subscale of the Gamblers’ Belief Questionnaire (Steenbergh et
al. in Psychol Addict Behav 16(2):143–149, 2002). Gamblers high in problem severity chose the “lucky” coin holder and avoided the “unlucky” coin holder significantly more
than gamblers low in problem severity. Problem gamblers, therefore, exhibit evidence of magical thinking related to the transfer
of a “lucky” essence. The same was the case for individuals with a strong level of belief that sheer continuation in gambling
(luck perseverance) results in success and for individuals who believe that luck is a personal rather than a situational characteristic.
All three variables (problem gambling severity, luck perseverance and personal luck) had direct effects on behavior reflecting
irrational magical thinking. A belief that knowledge or skill has a role in successful gaming was unrelated to magical thinking.
These findings suggest potential foci for cognitive interventions with problem gamblers and those with non-skill based evidence
of irrational thinking.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-11
- DOI 10.1007/s10899-011-9280-y
- Authors
- Moira Teed, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd. East, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
- Karen A. Finlay, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd. East, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
- Harvey H. C. Marmurek, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd. East, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
- Scott R. Colwell, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd. East, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
- Ian R. Newby-Clark, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd. East, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
- Journal Journal of Gambling Studies
- Online ISSN 1573-3602
- Print ISSN 1050-5350