Temporal Characteristics of Slot Machine Play in Recreational Gamblers

The present study examined the temporal characteristics of play exhibited by recreational slot machine players. 12 women ( M = 24 yr., range 22–28) played a computerized version of a slot machine with probability of payoff, i.e., a winning spin, ranging from .2 to .6. Intertrial intervals or the time between the termination of one trial to the initiation of the next trial varied within subjects as a function of wins and losses. Winning trials were associated with larger intertrial intervals and losing trials with smaller intertrial intervals for 10 of the 12 women. No differences were found across probability levels between subjects. Results are discussed in terms of the postreinforcement pause that occurs on specific schedules of reinforcement.