It takes a creative mind to be awarded the infamous Ig Nobel prize. If you are unfamiliar with the Ig Nobel, it is an award that is typically regarded as a sort of parody of the Nobel Prize, one that honors unusual or trivial advances in science. It celebrates "achievements that make people laugh, then make them think", and was created by Marc Abrahams in 1991 for "discoveries that could not, of should not, be reproduced" [source]. Though humorous in nature, the Ig Nobel does recognize genuine achievements, and several Ig Nobel "winners" have also taken home the prestigious Nobel Prize.
The 2017 Ig Nobel prize for Economics was awarded to Nancy Greer and Prof Matthew Rockloff for a study published in 2010. Their study was quite unique to say the least, observing the effects of holding a live crocodile on slot machine gambling habits.
The research wasn't all fun and games; the team actually focused in on a rather serious aspect of how gambling is affected by the excitement generated by slot machines. Being able to build up excitement is incredibly important to the gambling industry, especially in individuals with pre-existing gambling problems as their moods are generally poorer. In the case of this study, the researchers wanted to see if they could manipulate the level of excitement prior to gambling, namely by allowing the gamblers to hold a live juvenile crocodile prior to playing.
"Our supposition was that some of the excitement from holding the crocodile would be misattributed to the gambling experience, allowing us to study how that feeling of excitement might influence gambling decisions." Source
"The crocodile study was really about trying to get a sneaky way of arousing people before they gambled so they wouldn't recognise their own emotional state, that they're physiologically aroused." -Professor Rockloff Source
During the study, the team visited the Queensland's Koorana Saltwater Crocodile Farm and asked tourists to gamble money on a simulated poker machine immediately after finishing a tour and holding a live crocodile for a photo. They were investigating how the gambler's emotions affected the size of their bet and the speed at which they placed the bet.
Gamblers with pre-existing gambling problems who felt excited by holding the crocodile made larger bets and generally felt luckier, while those who felt more negative about the experience were more cautious.
"There's this connection now, found for the first time in this study, between emotional states and your actual gambling behaviour. Excitement, if it's interpreted in a positive way, can cause you to gamble in a more risky fashion." -Rockloff Source
Professor Rockloff admitted that he had a feeling the bizarre study might generate interest from the Ig Nobel decision-makers.
"I had this vague feeling, even when I was doing the study, I said 'Well gee — this might be a really good one for the Ig Nobels.' I certainly realised how quirky the study was. But it also has serious science behind it, and that's often what the Ig Nobels celebrate." -Rockloff Source
The award came with a cash prize as well: 10 trillion Zimbabwe dollars.
This will soon be spent by the research team on necessary supplies: two cups of coffee at Dunkin’ Donuts (medium, no milk). Source
Article Link: https://theconversation.com/
I've never been quite so tempted to try and smuggle live crocodiles into a casino. I've definitely been tempted before, just not so strongly.
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LOL! Well I should point out that the experience only encouraged gamblers to gamble more, not that they necessarily win more! XD
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Oh, I wasn't wanting to bring it in for gambling purposes. :)
Jesting aside, I thankfully don't have the gambling bug. I've been to casinos three times (one time was a weekend in Vegas, admittedly). Lost money the first two times, came out slightly ahead in Vegas, never really had an interest in going since.
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Is it really true??
Gamblers with pre-existing gambling problems who felt excited by holding the crocodile made larger bets and generally felt luckier, while those who felt more negative about the experience were more cautious.
Amazing! if this is going on.
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It makes sense though. If you are happy and positive, you probably feel more lucky than you do when you are feeling down or more negatively. I could certainly understand that playing a role in gambling.
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Yeah ! Being Happy and positive mood, we can do much better in not just gambling but all other works too.
Stress and depression, these are the more dangerous for taking any financial decision or some other decisions. we must be calm and need to be positive when we are look around or want to do something. Thanks for the best answer !!!
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That was a hilarious read, thanks 😂 Ten trillion Zim dollars... those guys certainly have a sense of humor.
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Can online casinos and gambling be a good way to make money online? I need to make money fast and I want to try any ways.
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I believe that if you urgently need money, then it is better not to choose online casinos and gambling as a source of income. For me, it's more like entertainment. I advise you to try sports betting, and you can find all the betting information here https://takebet.com/betting-tips/tennis. This is a safer and less risky option, so give it a try.
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Wow, that's amazing! Definitely not something I'd even think about. I guess I can call myself a gambler as well since I place bets on https://www.nodepositexplorer.com/win-real-money/ from time to time, but I don't have an addiction, it's just a way to distract and spend free time. And as was already mentioned, it's just entertainment, and I think I can imagine what people from this research were feeling after holding a crocodile
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this is actually incrediable
I bet no one would ever imagine such consequences and relations
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That's actually interesting, and it's bizarre how they even come up with something like that. To be honest, I won't be surprised if besides working with various betting providers like beter live - beter, casinos and gambling platforms will also cooperate with zoos in order to let their players improve their mood with crocodiles.
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