Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Trapped in hope: the negative impact of hope on gambling decisions

  • Published:
Current Psychology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Hope is a commonly encountered positive emotion in daily life. Although most extant literature highlights its positive consequences, nascent studies suggest potential negative outcomes. In this article, findings of five studies, including a study with consequential decisions, demonstrated that in a gambling context, hope can lead to suboptimal decisions. The authors theorized and showed empirically that hope triggers experiential processing, which in turn increases gambling, even though it does not affect rational expectations of winning. Evidence from a variety of gambling contexts revealed hope leads to both intended and actual gambling behavior. However, this effect did not hold for consumers who exhibit low trait experiential processing, and was attenuated when people were prompted not to rely on their feelings. This article contributes to prior literature by providing a detailed description of how hope affects information processing and leads to suboptimal decisions in a gambling context. More broadly, the findings offer implications for policy makers and consumers seeking to understand and anticipate how an everyday positive emotion might be detrimental to consumer welfare.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

Data Availability

The datasets generated during and /or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

References

  • Ariyabuddhiphongs, V. (2006). A Test of the Social Cognitive Model of Lottery Gambling in Thailand. International Gambling Studies, 6(1), 77–93.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ariyabuddhiphongs, V., & Chanchalermporn, N. (2007). A Test of Social Cognitive Theory Reciprocal and Sequential Effects: Hope, Superstitious Belief and Environmental Factors Among Lottery Gamblers in Thailand. Journal of Gambling Studies, 23(2), 201–214.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Arkes, H. R., Joyner, C. A., Pezzo, M. V., Nash, J. G., Siegel-Jacobs, K., & Stone, E. (1994). The Psychology of Windfall Gains. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 59(3), 331–347.

  • Armstrong, T., & Rockloff, M., and Matthew Browne (2020). Gamble with your Head and Not your Heart: a Conceptual Model for How Thinking-Style Promotes Irrational Gambling Beliefs, Journal of Gambling Studies, 36(1), 183–206.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brinner, R. E., Charles, T., & Clotfelter (1975). An Economic Appraisal of State Lotteries. National Tax Journal, 28(4), 395–404.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cavanaugh, L. A., Keisha, M., Cutright, M. F., & Luce, and James R. Bettman (2011). Hope, Pride, and Processing during Optimal and Nonoptimal Times of Day. Emotion, 11(1), 38–46.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chang, E. C. (1998). Hope, Problem-Solving Ability, and Coping in a College Student Population: Some Implications for Theory and Practice. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 54(7), 953–962.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chow, C. F., Cheung, C. H. W., & So, L. M. Y. (2022). Factors Influencing Gambling Behavior Among Employees in Macau Gambling Industry, Journal of Gambling Studies, 38(1), 87-121.

  • Christopher, F. (2021). Gambling: a Neglected Public Health Issue. Lancet Public Health, 6(1), e1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, J. (1958). Humanistic Psychology. Allen and Unwin.

  • Cosenza, M., Ciccarelli, M., & Nigro, G. (2019). Decision-Making Styles, Negative Affectivity, and Cognitive Distortions in Adolescent Gambling. Journal of Gambling Studies, 35(2), 517–531.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Coups, E., Haddock, G., & Webley, P. (1998). Correlates and Predictors of Lottery Play in the United Kingdom. Journal of Gambling Studies, 14(3), 285-303.

  • DeCaria, C. M., Hollander, E., Grossman, R., & Wong, C. M. (1996). Diagnosis, Neurobiology, and Treatment of Pathological Gambling. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 57(Suppl 8), 80–84.

  • Denes-Raj, V. and Seymour Epstein (1994). Conflict Between Intuitive and Rational Processing: When People Behave Against Their Better Judgment. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 66(5), 819–829.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Denes-Raj, V., & Epstein, S., and Jonathan Cole (1995). The Generality of the Ratio-Bias Phenomenon. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 21(10), 1083–1092.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Emond, M. S., & Harvey, H. C. Marmurek (2010). Gambling Related Cognitions Mediate the Association Between Thinking Style and Problem Gambling Severity. Journal of Gambling Studies, 26(2), 257–267.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Epstein, S. and Rosemary Pacini (2001). The Influence of Visualization on Intuitive and Analytical Information Processing. Imagination Cognition and Personality, 20(3), 195–216.

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Epstein, S., Pacini, R., Denes-Raj, V., & Heier, H. (1996). Individual Differences in Intuitive–Experiential and Analytical–Rational Thinking Styles. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 71(2), 390–405.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fazal-E‐Hasan, S. M., Ahmadi, H., Mortimer, G., Lings, I., Kelly, L., & Kim, H. (2020). Online Repurchasing: the Role of Information Disclosure, Hope, and Goal Attainment. Journal of Consumer Affairs, 54(1), 198–226.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Feldman, D. B., & Kubota, M. (2015). “Hope, Self-Efficacy, Optimism, and Academic Achievement: Distinguishing Constructs and Levels of Specificity in Predicting College Grade-Point Average. Learning and Individual Differences, 37, 210–216.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DeCaria, C. M., Hollander, E., Grossman, R., & Wong, C. M. (1996). Diagnosis, Neurobiology, and Treatment of Pathological Gambling. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 57(Suppl 8), 80–84.

  • Hansen, A., Miyazaki, A. D., & Sprott, D. E. (2000). The Tax Incidence of Lotteries: Evidence From Five States. Journal of Consumer Affairs, 34(2), 182-203.

  • Hayes, A. F. (2018). Introduction to Mediation, Moderation, and Conditional Process Analysis Second Edition: A Regression-Based Approach. New York, NY: The Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hu, Y., & Jiang, X. (2022). Hope as an Engine Mediating the Relation Between Parental Attachment and Social Problem-Solving Skills in Adolescents. School Psychology International, 43(3), 237–252.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jones, C. “September is Suicide Prevention Month: Problem Gambling has Highest Suicide Rates Among All Addictions.” September 16, 2020. Western Problem Resources Center. https://www.thebatavian.com/press-release/september-is-suicide-prevention-month-problem-gambling-has-highest-suicide-rates-among

  • Kirkpatrick, L. A., & Epstein, S. (1992). Cognitive-Experiential Self-Theory and Subjective Probability: Further Evidence for Two Conceptual Systems, Journal of Personality And Social Psychology, 63, (4),534–44.

  • Lazarus, R. S. (1999). Hope: An Emotion and Vital Coping Resource Against Despair, Social Research,653–678.

  • Lieberman, J. D., Krauss, D. A., Kyger, M., & Lehoux, M. (2007). Determining Dangerousness in Sexually Violent Predator Evaluations: Cognitive–Experiential Self-Theory and Juror Judgments of Expert Testimony. Behavioral Sciences and the Law, 25(4), 507–526.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lind, K., Marionneau, V., Järvinen-Tassopoulos, J., & Salonen, A. H. (2021). Socio-Demographics, Gambling Participation, Gambling Settings, and Addictive Behaviors Associated with Gambling Modes: A Population-Based Study. Journal of Gambling Studies,1–16.

  • MacInnis, D. J., & Chun, H. E. (2007). Understanding Hope and its Implications for Consumer Behavior: I Hope, Therefore I Consume. Foundations and Trends in Marketing, 1(2), 97-189.

  • MacInnis, D. J., & De Mello, G. E. (2005). The Concept of Hope and its Relevance to Product Evaluation and Choice. Journal of Marketing, 69(1), 1-14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Merkouris, S. S., Thomas, A. C., Shandley, K. A., Rodda, S. N., Oldenhof, E., & Dowling, N. A. (2016). An Update on Gender Differences in The Characteristics Associated with Problem Gambling: A Systematic Review. Current Addiction Reports, 3(3), 254–267.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mowen, J. C., Fang, X., & Scott, K. (2009). A Hierarchical Model Approach for Identifying the Trait Antecedents of General Gambling Propensity and Of Four Gambling-Related Genres. Journal of Business Research, 62(12), 1262–1268.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nunn, K. P. (1996). Personal Hopefulness: A Conceptual Review of The Relevance of The Perceived Future to Psychiatry. British Journal of Medical Psychology, 69(3), 227–245.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pacini, R., & Epstein, S. (1999). The Relation of Rational and Experiential Information Processing Styles to Personality, Basic Beliefs, and The Ratio-Bias Phenomenon. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 76(6), 972–987.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pacini, R., Muir, F., & Epstein, S. (1998). Depressive Realism from The Perspective of Cognitive-Experiential Self- Theory. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 74, 1056–1068.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pieper, J. (1994). Hope and History. Ignatius Press.

  • Potenza, M., Fiellin, D., Heninger, G., Rounsaville, B., & Mazure, C. (2002). Gambling. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 17(9), 721–732.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Potenza, M. N., Fiellin, D. A., Heninger, G. R., Rounsaville, B. J., & Mazure, C. M. (2002). Gambling: An Addictive Behavior with Health and Primary Care Implications. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 17(9), 721–732.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Scott, S. G., & Bruce, R. A. (1995). Decision-Making Style: The Development and Assessment of a New Measure. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 55(5), 818-831.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shiloh, S., Salton, E., & Sharabi, D. (2002). individual Differences in Rational and Intuitive Thinking Styles as Predictors of Heuristic Responses and Framing Effects. Personality and Individual Differences, 32(3), 415–429.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Snyder, C. R. (1994). The Psychology of Hope: You Can Get There from Here. Simon and Schuster.

  • Snyder, C. R., Harris, C., Anderson, J. R., Holleran, S. A., Irving, L. M., Sigmon, S. T., Lauren Yoshinobu, June Gibb, Charyle Langelle, and, & Harney, P. (1991). “The Will and the Ways: Development and Validation of an Individual-Differences Measure of Hope,” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 604, 570–85.

  • Spencer, S. J., Zanna, M. P., & Fong, G. T. (2005). Establishing a Causal Chain: Why Experiments Are Often More Effective than Mediational Analyses in Examining Psychological Processes. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 89(6), 845–851.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Statistics of Gambling Addiction. (2016). North American Foundation for Gambling Addiction Help. https://nafgah.org/statistics-gambling-addiction-2016/

  • Stotland, E. (1969). The Psychology of Hope. Jossey-Bass.

  • Tversky, & Amos and Daniel Kahneman. (1974). Judgment Under Uncertainty: Heuristics and Biases. Science, 185(4157), 1124–1131.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Volberg, R. A., Mc Namara, L. M., & Carris, K. L. (2018). Risk Factors for Problem Gambling in California: Demographics, Comorbidities and Gambling Participation. Journal of Gambling Studies, 34(2), 361–377.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wolfgang, A. K. (1988). Gambling as a Function of Gender and Sensation Seeking, Journal of Gambling Studies, 4, 71–77.

  • Winterich, K., Page, & Haws, K. L. (2011). Helpful Hopefulness: The Effect of Future Positive Emotions on Consumption. Journal of Consumer Research, 38(3), 505–524. 

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zosh, M. (2020, March 5). Gambling Problems: Highest Rate of Suicide Compared to Other Addictions. https://wvva.com/2020/03/05/gambling-problems-highest-rate-of-suicide-compared-to-other-addictions/

Download references

Acknowledgements

Stephen Juma was a doctoral candidate at Virginia Tech. Mario Pandelaere is an Associate Professor in Marketing at Virginia Tech and served as Stephen Juma’s dissertation chair.

Funding

Partial financial support for the conducted research was received from Virginia Tech.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rankin College of Business, Southern Arkansas University, Magnolia, AR, USA

    Stephen Juma

  2. Pamplin College of Business, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA

    Mario Pandelaere

Authors
  1. Stephen Juma
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mario Pandelaere
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Stephen Juma.

Ethics declarations

Ethics Approval

Approval was obtained from the ethics committee of Virginia Tech IRB. The procedures used in this study adhere to the tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki.

Informed consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individuals participants included in the study. .

Additional information

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Juma, S., Pandelaere, M. Trapped in hope: the negative impact of hope on gambling decisions. Curr Psychol 43, 1911–1928 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-023-04376-9

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-023-04376-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation