The effect of the presence of an audience on risk-taking while gambling: the social shield |
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Authors: | Jérémy E. Lemoine |
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Affiliation: | 1. ESCP Europe Business School, London, UK;2. C2S, Laboratory of Psychology: ‘Cognition, Health, Socialization’ EA 6291, Department of Psychology, University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France |
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Abstract: | Being in a social context influences risk-taking behavior. This study aims to identify the effect of an audience’s presence on risk-taking while gambling. One hundred and thirty-two university students played a computer roulette game. They were randomly allocated to one of our three conditions: (i) either they played alone; or (ii) in the presence of the experimenter; or (iii) in the presence of the experimenter, while being videotaped. Results revealed a significant effect on risk-taking in the participants with the presence of an audience, with more risk-averse behaviors in the two types of audience conditions than in the alone condition. No differences were found between the two audience conditions. Thus, an audience may prevent risk-taking and provide a social shield. |
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Keywords: | Social facilitation prospect theory risk-taking gambling audience |
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