Explaining reduced gambling after drinking with the alcohol myopia theory

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Author(s): Wagner, Greta ; Sevincer, A. Timur ; Keim, Rebecca ; Fähnrich, Marén ; Oettingen, Gabriele

Journal: Psychology of Addictive Behaviors

Year Published: 2018

Date Added: March 20, 2019

This study examined whether making the low chance of winning salient would make people who consumed alcohol gamble less than people who did not consume alcohol. The researchers did four studies (three in the lab and one in a natural environment). In all the studies, results showed that when the low chance of winning was salient, people who had consumed alcohol gambled less often and made less risky gambling choice.

Citation: Wagner, G., Sevincer, A. T., Keim, R., Fähnrich, M., & Oettingen, G. (2018). Alcohol intake can reduce gambling behavior. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 32(7), 832-845. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/adb0000396

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/adb0000396

Keywords: alcohol use ; cues ; Electronic Gambling Machines (EGMs) ; eye tracking ; gambling ; gambling behaviours ; judgement and decision-making ; messaging ; risk-taking ; South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS)

Topics: Comorbidities ; Gambling and the Brain ; Game Types ; Information for Operators ; Slots and VLTs ; South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) ; Substance Use

Conceptual Framework Factors: Gambling Types ; Exposure - Gambling Setting ; Exposure - Marketing and Messaging ; Psychological Factors ; Psychological - Judgement and Decision Making ; Gambling Exposure

Response Rate: N/A

Study Design: Experimental: RCT (randomized controlled trial)

Geographic Coverage: Germany

Study Population: The first study included 130 students from a large German university (79 female, average age = 24.01 years). Participants were screened to ensure they did not consume alcohol at a high-risk level or gamble at a pathological level. The second study included 128 participants (50 female, average age =26.72 years) from the general population who had gambled in the past three months. The third study included 128 participants (75 female, average age = 25.72 years) from the general population. The fourth study included 121 participants (54 female, average age = 30.08 years) who were recruited from a local music club with a bar.

Sampling Procedure: In the first study, the researchers recruited students from a large university. In the second study, they used a convenience sampling to recruit recent gamblers from the community through advertising on the Internet. In the third study, participants were recruited from the general community without explicit reference of gambling through advertising on the Internet. In the last study, the researchers randomly approached people in a local music club with a bar.