Using “Wordle” to assess the effects of goal gradients and near-misses

Abstract

As individuals near a desired goal, they become more motivated, and happier. When thwarted in their goal pursuit, frustration and negative affect ensue. Slot-machine research indicates that near-misses (being one symbol away from a jackpot) are highly arousing, frustrating, yet motivating outcomes. We used the popular game Wordle to illustrate goal gradient and near-miss effects. In Wordle, an individual tries to guess a five-letter word in six attempts. Wordle gives feedback — letters turn green, orange, or grey depending on how closely guesses match the target word. By analyzing feedback across guesses, players can gauge whether they are approaching or thwarted in their goal pursuit. Wordle also contains near-misses (guesses only one letter away from the target). When feedback indicated players were approaching their goal, positive affect and motivation significantly increased compared to thwarted outcomes which increased frustration. Near-misses were significantly more subjectively arousing than other outcomes. The first appearance of a near-miss (an “approaching” outcome) led to higher motivation and positive affect and less frustration than if the next guess revealed the same four green letters (a “thwarted” near-miss). These findings shed new light on erroneous cognitions among slot-machine players who misinterpret slots games as having goal gradient properties.