The thrill of chance: Psychophysiological responses in loot boxes and simulated slot machines
Loot boxes (LBs) are microtransactions within video games that offer players the opportunity to acquire virtual items randomly. LBs shared structural and psychological features with gambling, especially slot machines. However, one potential shared feature that has been scarcely explored in LBs, is t...
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| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Computers in Human Behavior Reports |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2451958824001787 |
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| author | Francisco J. Sanmartín Judith Velasco Fátima Cuadrado Juan A. Moriana |
| author_facet | Francisco J. Sanmartín Judith Velasco Fátima Cuadrado Juan A. Moriana |
| author_sort | Francisco J. Sanmartín |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Loot boxes (LBs) are microtransactions within video games that offer players the opportunity to acquire virtual items randomly. LBs shared structural and psychological features with gambling, especially slot machines. However, one potential shared feature that has been scarcely explored in LBs, is the level of arousal experienced by players. This study explores changes in electrodermal activity (EDA), heart rate (HR) and respiratory rate (RR) during the opening of LBs in FIFA and during simulated slot machine spin in gamblers (n = 14, M = 19.93 years), LB users (n = 13, M = 19.62 years) and a control group (n = 13, M = 21.92 years). Additionally, the study aimed to compare psychophysiological activation levels produced by both dynamics in each group. Results indicated that both gamblers and LB users showed increased EDA during LB opening and slot machine spins, while HR or RR did not exhibit significant changes. The control group showed increased EDA during the slot machine spin, with no changes during LB opening or in other psychophysiological measures. The comparison between LB opening and slot machine spin revealed similar levels of psychophysiological activation for gamblers and LB users. These findings suggest a potential link between gambling and LBs, which could inform the development of policies for safer gaming environments. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-42ff83ff3de642e29ceb652e84dc6367 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2451-9588 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Computers in Human Behavior Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-42ff83ff3de642e29ceb652e84dc63672024-12-18T08:50:18ZengElsevierComputers in Human Behavior Reports2451-95882024-12-0116100545The thrill of chance: Psychophysiological responses in loot boxes and simulated slot machinesFrancisco J. Sanmartín0Judith Velasco1Fátima Cuadrado2Juan A. Moriana3Department of Psychology, University of Cordoba, Spain; Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research of Cordoba (IMIBIC), Spain; Reina Sofia University Hospital, SpainDepartment of Psychology, University of Cordoba, Spain; Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research of Cordoba (IMIBIC), Spain; Reina Sofia University Hospital, SpainDepartment of Psychology, University of Cordoba, Spain; Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research of Cordoba (IMIBIC), Spain; Reina Sofia University Hospital, SpainDepartment of Psychology, University of Cordoba, Spain; Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research of Cordoba (IMIBIC), Spain; Reina Sofia University Hospital, Spain; Corresponding author. Department of Psychology, University of Córdoba, C/ San Alberto Magno S/N, 14071, Córdoba, Spain.Loot boxes (LBs) are microtransactions within video games that offer players the opportunity to acquire virtual items randomly. LBs shared structural and psychological features with gambling, especially slot machines. However, one potential shared feature that has been scarcely explored in LBs, is the level of arousal experienced by players. This study explores changes in electrodermal activity (EDA), heart rate (HR) and respiratory rate (RR) during the opening of LBs in FIFA and during simulated slot machine spin in gamblers (n = 14, M = 19.93 years), LB users (n = 13, M = 19.62 years) and a control group (n = 13, M = 21.92 years). Additionally, the study aimed to compare psychophysiological activation levels produced by both dynamics in each group. Results indicated that both gamblers and LB users showed increased EDA during LB opening and slot machine spins, while HR or RR did not exhibit significant changes. The control group showed increased EDA during the slot machine spin, with no changes during LB opening or in other psychophysiological measures. The comparison between LB opening and slot machine spin revealed similar levels of psychophysiological activation for gamblers and LB users. These findings suggest a potential link between gambling and LBs, which could inform the development of policies for safer gaming environments.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2451958824001787Loot boxesSlotSimulated gamblingArousalPhysiological reactivity |
| spellingShingle | Francisco J. Sanmartín Judith Velasco Fátima Cuadrado Juan A. Moriana The thrill of chance: Psychophysiological responses in loot boxes and simulated slot machines Computers in Human Behavior Reports Loot boxes Slot Simulated gambling Arousal Physiological reactivity |
| title | The thrill of chance: Psychophysiological responses in loot boxes and simulated slot machines |
| title_full | The thrill of chance: Psychophysiological responses in loot boxes and simulated slot machines |
| title_fullStr | The thrill of chance: Psychophysiological responses in loot boxes and simulated slot machines |
| title_full_unstemmed | The thrill of chance: Psychophysiological responses in loot boxes and simulated slot machines |
| title_short | The thrill of chance: Psychophysiological responses in loot boxes and simulated slot machines |
| title_sort | thrill of chance psychophysiological responses in loot boxes and simulated slot machines |
| topic | Loot boxes Slot Simulated gambling Arousal Physiological reactivity |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2451958824001787 |
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