Faculty Articles
The Effects of Alcohol, Gender, and Sensation Seeking on the Gambling Choices of Social Drinkers
Document Type
Article
Publication Title
Psychology of Addictive Behaviors
ISSN
0893-164X
Publication Date
9-1999
Abstract
The preference-reversal, or the reflection, effect occurs when the valence of the decision option influences risk preference (A. Tversky and D. Kahneman, 1981-31998-001). The present study examined 3 possible moderators of gambling choices—alcohol, gender, and sensation seeking—among 108 healthy male and female volunteers. After receiving a moderate dose of alcohol, a placebo, or a no-alcohol control beverage, participants completed a betting task in which they could risk a monetary bonus by selecting and playing out a potential gain and a potential loss. Results indicated a preference-reversal effect among high sensation seekers only. The finding that individual differences moderated gambling choices is more consistent with L. L. Lopes's (see record 1987-98851-006) security-potential/aspiration (SP/A) theory of decision making than with prospect theory. As in previous experimental studies, no significant effects were found for a moderate dose of alcohol. Using SP/A and risk homeostasis theory, the methodological and conceptual reasons for a consistent lack of an effect of alcohol on gambling choices across several studies are discussed.
DOI
10.1037/0893-164X.13.3.243
Volume
13
Issue
3
First Page
243
Last Page
252
NSUWorks Citation
Breslin, F. C.,
Sobell, M. B.,
Cappell, H.,
Vakili, S.,
Poulos, C. X.
(1999). The Effects of Alcohol, Gender, and Sensation Seeking on the Gambling Choices of Social Drinkers. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 13(3), 243-252.
Available at: https://nsuworks.nova.edu/cps_facarticles/543