New Research Finds Bizarre Link Between Gambling and Crocodiles

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. 

Never Smile at a Crocodile: Betting on Electronic Gaming Machines is Intensified by Reptile-Induced Arousal

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

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Article Link: https://theconversation.com/