Forgetting the anxiety: Gamblers' reactions to outcome uncertainty

Abstract

Uncertainty about whether an episode will end positively or negatively elicits anticipatory emotions such as excitement and anxiety. The within-experience existence of anticipatory emotions can impact the evaluations of the event. Given that gamblers choose to play games with uncertain outcomes, it is reasonable to assume that they feel anticipatory emotions that will positively impact their evaluation of the experience. However, the results here paint a different picture. Study 1 reveals that the uncertainty about whether an event will be positive or negative (outcome valence uncertainty) elicits within-experience emotions which significantly impacted the evaluation of the experience amongst gamblers. In Study 2 gamblers did not accurately forecast within-experience anticipatory emotions. Although Study 1 shows that less outcome valence uncertainty was preferable, gamblers in Study 2 predicted that more uncertainty would bring more enjoyment. Study 3 provides evidence that within-experience emotions are not explicitly remembered by gamblers which is offered as an explanation for the inaccuracy in forecasting. The results provide insight into why regular gamblers continue to gamble.