Effects of the "near miss" and the "big win" on persistence at slot machine gambling

Psychol Addict Behav. 2001 Jun;15(2):155-8. doi: 10.1037//0893-164x.15.2.155.

Abstract

This study was conducted to examine the effects of the "near miss," when a player almost wins, and the "big win," a large early monetary gain, on persistence at slot machine gambling. One hundred eighty male and female undergraduates played a 4-wheel computerized slot machine. A 2 x 3 randomized factorial design and an acquisition-extinction procedure were used. The dependent variable, persistence, was defined by the number of trials in the extinction phase. As hypothesized, the near miss had a statistically significant effect on the number of trials in extinction. An inverted U-shaped effect of the near miss showed that the 30% near miss condition led to the greatest persistence, as compared to 45% and 15% near miss conditions. There was no statistically significant effect of the big win. Both cognitive and behavioral theories are discussed as explanations for effects of the near miss.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Cognition
  • Extinction, Psychological
  • Female
  • Gambling / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Random Allocation