Arousal, sensation seeking and frequency of gambling in off-course horse racing bettors
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1Department of Psychology, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Plymouth, Devon, UK.
Insights
This study found heart rate varied during gambling in bettors, but not between high- and low-frequency gamblers. Sensation seeking did not explain these gambling behavior differences.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Behavioral Science
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Gambling behavior is complex and influenced by physiological and psychological factors.
- Previous studies on gambling and heart rate have been confounded by movement artifacts.
- Understanding arousal's role in gambling is crucial for developing effective interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate heart rate changes in horse racing bettors during the gambling process.
- To examine the relationship between sensation seeking, gambling frequency, expenditure, and heart rate.
- To control for movement artifacts in heart rate measurements during gambling.
Main Methods:
- Recruited 32 off-course horse racing bettors.
- Recorded heart rate before, during, and after gambling.
- Assessed sensation seeking, gambling frequency, and expenditure.
- Controlled for confounding effects of movement on heart rate.
Main Results:
- Significant within-subject differences in heart rate were observed at different stages of the gambling process.
- No significant differences in heart rate were found between high- and low-frequency gamblers.
- No significant differences were found between gamblers who chase losses and those who do not.
Conclusions:
- Heart rate variability during gambling may not differentiate between gambling frequency or chasing behaviors.
- The findings suggest a nuanced role for arousal and sensation seeking in explaining gambling behavior.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the physiological underpinnings of gambling behavior.
Abstract:
Heart rate was recorded in a sample of 32 off-course horse racing bettors before, during and after the gambling process, together with sensation seeking and information regarding frequency and expenditure on gambling. Importantly, the present study controlled for the confounding effects of movement on heart rate present in previous studies. Significant differences within subjects were found for heart rate at different points in the gambling process, but no differences were found comparing high- and low-frequency gamblers or gamblers that chase with those that don't chase. These findings are discussed in relation to the theoretical role of arousal and sensation seeking in the explanation of gambling behaviour.