The effect of the presence of an audience on risk-taking while gambling: the social shield. (3rd July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lemoine, Jérémy E.; Roland-Lévy, Christine
• Is Part Of: Social influence. Volume 12:Number 2/3(2017)
• Page Start: 101
• Page End: 114
• Publication Date: 2017-07-03
• Subjects: Social facilitation -- prospect theory -- risk-taking -- gambling -- audience; Social influence -- Periodicals; 302.13
• DOI: 10.1080/15534510.2017.1373697
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1553-4510

Abstract

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.