Investigating reward patterns in virtual loot-crate engagement
Psychologists conducted an experiment to explore how different reward mechanisms affect player persistence in an online role-playing game featuring virtual loot-crates (a form of simulated gambling). Group 1 played a version of the game where they were guaranteed a high-value cosmetic crate exactly every 30 minutes of continuous gameplay. Group 2 played a version where the crate dropped randomly, averaging once every 15 monster battles. Without warning, the researchers disabled all loot-crate drops. They recorded how long participants continued to play the game before logging off. Group 2 demonstrated a significantly higher level of persistence, continuing to battle monsters long after the rewards had ceased.
Describe learning theory as applied to gambling. Refer to the study above in your answer.
16 exam-style questions on AQA A Level Psychology Explanations for gambling addiction. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.