From gains to losses: Age‐related differences in decisions under risk in a non‐monetary gambling task. (4th December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Depping, Miriam K.; Best, Ryan; Freund, Alexandra M.
• Other Names: Tenenbaum Harriet guestEditor.; Hanoch Yaniv guestEditor.; Wood Stacey guestEditor.; James Lori E. guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: British journal of developmental psychology. Volume 39:Number 2(2021)
• Page Start: 312
• Page End: 329
• Publication Date: 2020-12-04
• Subjects: adult development -- ageing -- decision‐making -- gains and losses -- risk‐taking -- motivation; Developmental psychology -- Periodicals; 155
• DOI: 10.1111/bjdp.12362
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0261-510X

Abstract

Abstract : Lifespan theory suggests a shift from a primary orientation towards attaining gains in young adulthood to preventing losses in older adulthood. The current research tested if this motivational shift is reflected in behavioural and emotional responses to risks in non‐monetary gains and losses. Study 1 established in a sample of N = 168 younger (18–30 years) and older adults (65–79 years) that a non‐monetary gambling task was experienced similarly by the age groups with respect to arousal and valence of the task, and the willingness to continue playing. In Study 2 ( N = 83), differences between young (18–30 years) and older (64–85 years) adults' risk‐taking in this non‐monetary gambling task with mixed gambles were tested while assessing physiological responses (event‐related heart rate change) to gain and loss feedback. Behavioural – but not physiological – results confirm hypotheses derived from a lifespan motivational framework regarding age‐differential effects of gains and losses.