Running Head: OPERANT CONDITIONING 2
Replies to Posts on Operant Conditioning by Melea and Sadie
Student Name
Institution
Author Note
Gambling is one of the most profitable businesses in the world today. Betting and gambling industries have only one goal; to make profits. Gamblers often do not realize that the gambling machines and odds generators are designed to make them feel like they are winning when they are losing. This design used to make a person keep gambling is achieved through a phenomenon which is often referred to as operant conditioning. This paper is a reply to the posts made by Melea and Sadie concerning gambling and operant conditioning and how it is achieved.
The primary thing that keeps a person gambling is the reward. Melea puts forth a valid point when she states that the reinforcement schedule in gambling machines is variable. Therefore, due to its unpredictability, a person will keep on gambling hoping that the reward will come in the next round. Also, this post makes a correct observation that most casinos use this idea of variable reinforcement to retain the gamblers (Parke & Griffiths, 2004). The casinos make a fixed amount of money it is going to “lose,” say, per gambler. However, the net profits garnered exceed the amount used in the reinforcements.
Sadie makes an almost similar argument as Melea. The difference between these two posts is that Sadie brings in the aspect of the average but unpredictable responses of to the reinforcement. Sadie’s post emphasizes the unpredictability of the slot machine, which is true since it is designed to make profits while also conditioning its operant. A person may win at first try, making him or her yearn to multiply the winnings (Parke & Griffiths, 2004). However, the next reward is unpredictable; hence the person may not only lose the rewards they got at first, but also his or her money.
In conclusion, both the posts are quite illuminating. If people realized the psychology behind gambling machines, they would stop gambling.
Reference
Parke, J., & Griffiths, M. (2004). Gambling addiction and the evolution of the” near miss.”