Choice behavior of nonpathological women playing concurrently available slot machines: effect of changes in payback percentages.
In a simulated casino environment, 6 nonpathological women played concurrently available commercial slot machines programmed to pay out at different rates. Participants did not always demonstrate preferences for the higher paying machine. The data suggest that factors other than programmed or obtained rate of reinforcement may control gambling behavior, which should encourage behavior analysts to look beyond direct, contingency-driven explanations of gambling.
Weatherly
Jeffrey N
JN
University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota58202, USA.
Thompson
Bradley J
BJ
Hodny
Marisa
M
Meier
Ellen
E
D000328:Adult; D002755:Choice Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D030141:Feedback, Psychological; D005260:Female; D005715:Gambling / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014040:Token Economy; D055815:Young Adult