The Effects of Alcohol, Gender, and Sensation Seeking on the Gambling Choices of Social Drinkers

Author(s)

F. Curtis Breslin, University of Toronto
Mark B. Sobell, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
Howard Cappell
Shervin Vakili, Nova Southeastern University
Constantine X. Poulos, University of Toronto

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