A new study suggests that the simple act of pulling a lever or pressing a button is enough to trigger reward reactivity in humans. This research is significant because it demonstrates that psychophysiological measurements can be taken on an unobtrusive, non-invasive basis, and doesn’t require cumbersome electrodes or wires to be placed on participants.
The authors suggest that their work could be used to develop games that are more psychologically appealing. These games would be less prone to gambling-related problems (such as addiction), and could help alleviate the suffering caused by some people who find gambling a form of harmful entertainment.
Although there are many casino games to choose from, the popularity of slots continues to grow. The machines are widely available, offer a variety of winning combinations and payout schemes, and often feature a story or theme that appeals to players. In addition, video slot machines have become increasingly popular as they offer a more realistic experience than traditional mechanical ones.
While a large majority of players play slots for fun, some suffer serious gambling-related problems (Blaszczynski, Sharpe, Walker, Shannon, Coughlan, 2005). These problems can range from financial debt to professional difficulties and relationships to involvement in criminal activities. In the United States, there are about a million problem gamblers who need help.