When rejection backfires: Social exclusion and economic decision-making in gamblers

Area of Science:

• Behavioral Economics
• Social Psychology
• Addiction Studies

Background:

• Economic decisions are influenced by social factors like fairness and belonging.
• Social exclusion can paradoxically worsen behaviors in individuals with addiction.
• The effect of social exclusion on economic decision-making in problem gamblers (PGs) is unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of acute social exclusion on economic decision-making in individuals with gambling disorders.
• To explore whether social exclusion alters the acceptance of fair and unfair monetary offers in PGs.

Main Methods:

• A field study involving 203 gamblers recruited outside gambling venues.
• Random assignment to social inclusion or exclusion conditions using the Cyberball paradigm.
• Participants completed an ultimatum game and the Problem Gambling Severity Index.

Main Results:

• Social exclusion increased acceptance of unfair monetary offers specifically among PGs.
• PGs accepted more unfair offers after exclusion compared to inclusion.
• No significant effects were observed for low- and moderate-risk gamblers, or on fair offer acceptance.

Conclusions:

• Social exclusion triggers utilitarian decision-making in PGs, prioritizing immediate gains over equity.
• Rejection may compromise PGs' economic decision-making, potentially creating self-reinforcing cycles of problematic gambling.
• Inclusion-based interventions may be more effective than social punishment for individuals with gambling disorders.