Our subconscious never ceases to amaze. Behind every behaviour, in every activity, and hidden in the crevices of any daily action, there’s an operation we are unaware of – a latent mechanism triggered by some sensation, thought, or memory. Even the activity of playing, which seems to be one of the simplest and lightest, hides much of this.
The intricacies of gambling psychology
The psychology of gambling, was reported by Giochi di Slots, is a barely explored yet incredibly fascinating universe. It speaks about us, our lives, and our legacies, but also about our society and our culture. It talks about superstitions and beliefs that date back to the dawn of time, about pastimes and entertainments that we’ve had since the times of the Romans and the Egyptians, and about social status and expectations. A basic analysis of what happens when we play could start by framing the symbolic feelings of this activity. Beginning with the first one: risk. A crucial component of our lives is thrilling, intense, and exciting. Every gambling activity heavily relies on this aspect, playing on the suspense of not knowing and on the unknown. When faced with all this, our brain is designed to release dopamine, a neurotransmitter that stimulates feelings of pleasure and reward. In our bodies, a surge of excitement then arrives, encouraging us to play, to bet, and to try our luck. To try to win.
The thrill of victory and the pain of defeat
We then reach the second essential emotion, the highest of all: the thrill of victory. The feeling triggered after hitting the winning combination or after scoring a crucial point triggers another burst of dopamine, which psychologists call the “winning effect” and which has been remarked by experts from Giochi di Slots. This research highlights how the number of endorphins released after winning, for instance, a bet, can make the player feel euphoric to the point of urging him to play another game. A process that isn’t only related to money or cash wins but also to the pure and simple feeling of having completed a mission or having reached the goal Something that links our animal side, which makes us competitive, focused on survival and therefore on winning, with the social side, with the role and image that follows.
Takeaway
Obviously, along with victory comes defeat. And so, we come to the last fundamental emotion. Perhaps even stronger. Psychologists Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky explained it well: people feel the pain of loss more intensely than the pleasure of winning. This is also related to our DNA and the history of our ancestors, who, faced with a loss of food, shelter, or tools, might have risked their lives. That’s why we are so averse to defeat. That’s why we always seek victory. Even in the world of gambling. It’s worth remembering that you win if you play safely and responsibly. Psychology teaches us this.
Jordan Wayne, a psychology graduate from the University of Hertfordshire, has a keen interest in the fields of mental health, wellness, and lifestyle.
