What do Pigeons and Gambling Addicts have in Common?

It sounds a strange pairing. 

Two love birds. One playing a FOBT in the betting shop. The other looking through the window, flapping his wings with an air of impulsivity. 

Both hoping for that elusive, big win: money or corn!

Perhaps, it's where the term: ''Do you fancy a flutter'' came from? 

However, joking aside, there is nothing humourous about problem gambling. It has a hugely negative affect on the individual if not their family, friends and society as a whole.

Research from the University of Kentucky found that pigeons and problem gamblers seem to have a trait in common. They both display impulsive behaviour!

This psychological research is important as it details that impulse control could be the answer in finding an approach that helps with this addiction.

Although you may never have thought about it - pigeons love to gamble. 

They consistently pecked a target that would result in a ''big jackpot'' of corn in favour pecking a target that offered 100% wins but less corn. On average the ''big jackpot'' paid out two corn seeds while the guaranteed win paid three. (Not the wisest gamble).

Researchers questioned whether this tendency to gamble was related to impulsivitiy. 

Lead author of the research, doctorate psychology student Jennifer Laude and colleagues, found that more impulsive birds were likely to gamble for the big payout rather than wait 20 seconds. The pigeons behaviour detailed they gave more significance to winning the jackpot than losing. 

This is the same behaviour displayed by addictive or problem gamblers. This relates to an impulse control disorder. In this way pathological gamblers aren't interested in their losses as they focus on the big win. 

This research indicates that impulsivity may make people more prone to gambling. Consequently, training impulsive behaviours may help control problem gambling.   

Photo: Pixabay free fro commercial use and no attribution but given  

Psychology can Improve your Betting Performance

Psychology: the study of behaviour and mind. To many, this offshoot of philosophy is akin to witchcraft. Others, it is just common sense. While for the majority: ''mumbo jumbo''. 

The strange thing about psychology is that we know it works. There have been studies which show when you walk into a supermarket, we walk so many paces before stopping, turning, and look around. You've probably done it a thousand times and never thought about it. It's walking, you stopped, so what! 

That's why someone had the brainwave of making sure the isles, offers or security guard (joke) are seemingly waiting at the right place to get you to buy. 

It begs the question, how many other things work like that? It is worrying to some extent as you may find yourself buying things, saying yes to someone who five minutes ago gave you a free pen, or liking someone or something that in ways always repulsed you before. You just put it down to being Friday! 

The power of psychology. Neuromarketing. Mumbo jumbo. 

Have you ever watched a TV advert and thought 'what's that all about'. McDonald's with its catchy whistle. Tapping into all those difference senses so you when you want a burger, you find yourself in their queue ''Cheeseburger, please!''. 

You robot! 

I guess we are a little fearful of the unknown. What's happening to me? I went to the shops to buy a packet of sweets and returned with a vacuum cleaner.

What are those bookmakers are doing with all this witchcraft? 

If you open a new account, we will give you 10/1 that Chelsea beat Whatever United! I see it somewhere else 5/4. 

But what about all those subtle things. You go in the bookies and someone asks if you want a cup of tea. Milk. Sugar. (How much did that cost me?)

I studied psychology and gained a degree a number of years ago. Social psychology is intriguing because it finds ways of tapping into the human condition to get you buying. Why is one salesman so much better than the rest of the team? If you studied this person you would identify how and why.

But how does this all related to an individual like you or me making psychology work for us to be a better gambler or win more money?

The key to finding winners is , in many ways, watching, taking note, and understanding winners. For instance, one aspect which often reveals bigger odds (value) is the contrast theory. Basically, if one horse beats another, many punters, bookmakers, layers will fancy the same result if they oppose each other at a later date. I know there may be changing variables such as weight, going, distance etc. However, it has been proven that people often assess the likelihood of the previous winner as having a greater chance of victory than it does. Meaning that the favourite is often under priced whereas the beaten horse is actually value at bigger odds.

Just stop for a moment, and consider how many other aspect of psychology could be at play when you bet. 

Photo: Free for commercial use and no attribution but given 

5 Ways Psychology can Improve your Gambling

Psychology – the study of behaviour and mind. I think you will agree it is a fascinating subject because it helps identify knew wisdom, understanding and advancement of the human condition. 

You may have seen the subject of psychology detailed within gambling as psychopathology. Research relating to addiction, which is a problem for many who lose control and betting to a point of harm. I have always been interested in the other side of the coin. 

How can we use psychology to actually improve our chance of winning? 

It's a topic of conversation that I have heard very little news. However, I have spent many hours reading psychology books from a quantitative and qualitative perspective and these tips can help you win when betting on the horses. 

1) The chair you sit.

It sounds a crazy idea but research has shown that the chair you sit when making your bets can be the difference between winning and losing. Or, at least, improving your chances of making it a profitable day. It was found that people sitting on a harder chair were harder negotiators than those who sat in comfort. 

2) Be Careful who you listen to.

You may not realise it, but you are influenced without knowing. The racing paper, TV channel, opinions and thoughts can easily sway your judgement. If you have good reason to follow your tip – don't be swayed. 

3) Become an expert.

Can the novice punter be better than the expert? It is said that it takes 10,000 hours or study to become an expert of any subject. Make sure you put in the hours and especially work within a niche. It will give you a huge advantage over the opposition. 

4) I followed that horse off a cliff.

We've all been there. I bet on that horse the last three times so I can't afford to let it go by today. You probably didn't realise but this is psychology at work. You are much more likely to bet on an old favourite horse that n new name because of this previous relationship. However, you need to keep this point in mind as all too often this type of horse disappoint and become very costly to follow. 

5) The Contrast Theory.

This is worth noting. How many times have you seen one horse beat another only to see them re-oppose next start. Take a look at the betting. The beaten horse is likely to be a bigger price. Not a surprise you might say. But how big are the odds? The human condition details that we often make mistakes in this area and favour the previous winner much more than we should to a level where the outsider of the two horses is a value bet. If the horse looks to have a reason why it could improve: going, distance, jockey it may be the bet. 

The next time you place a bet, take a moment to consider how psychology may have helped or hindered your chance of winning.

Pixabay: Free for commercial race and no attribution but given

Experience, Knowledge & Wealth

I studied psychology at Open University. The male equivalent to Educating Rita. I always found Willy Russell's screenplay, directed by Lewis Gilbert, an exceptional film. Readers may remember the fine performances by Micheal Caine, Julie Walters & Maureen Lipman. 

The 1983 film won numerous awards and was nominated for three Oscars. 

I guess a lot of people have watched it. It's worth a second viewing because it is exceptional with many subplots. At the heart of the subject, it is about identity. 

Rita, desperate to change, while Frank Bryant (Caine) an alcoholic, disillusioned by his past successes which have faded with time to a point where he ridiculed his former achievement as a gifted poet. 

Experience is so often taken for granted by those who have it and so wished for by those who are caught in its tide. I guess for most people wisdom, skill, knowledge becomes so implicit that it is difficult to view those years of inexperience. 

Gambling is very similar. I'm talking about a true insight, not someone thumbing their way through the sports pages of the nearest red top. Each to their own. I don't mean those words to sound critical but there is a difference between the expert and the novice. It is a fundamental difference which identifies a deeper understanding which most people would not even consider or even appreciate if spoken. 

From a psychological point of view, expertese comes at a price. That price is time. Ericsson (1990) says it take 10,000 hours to become an expert. 

It is a deliberate practice

They say knowledge is power. It is lots of things. Perhaps power is at the top of the list for those who wish to dictate.  

I studied psychology because it interested me. The reason why I studied to gain a degree was quite simple. To prove I could do it. Studying is hard work in ways but simple in others. It is simple in the sense that there is a clear path to success.

It's like watching The Wizard of Oz 

You follow the yellow brick road, bump into a scarecrow, tin man and cowardly lion, avoiding the odd witch with striped socks, steal her ruby slippers, annoy another green-faced bitch, an apple tree that throws apples, visit the Emerald City, meet a wizard who sets you a challenge, get caught by flying monkeys, melt a witch, steal her broomstick, joyously sing ''the witch is dead'' before going back the the wizard and fly off in an errant balloon only to wake up to find it was all a dream. 

Hey presto, you have a certficate hanging on the wall. 

At the heart of the story, experience, you realised you learned something that you had all the time.  

A chosen, directed path, is something very few people can enjoy in most aspects of life. A lack of direction in life, business, health etc can be a problem. 

It can lead to your death.

One of the greatest strengths I have as a gambler is a strange concept for most people to understand. I am good at gambling because I don't really enjoy gambling at all. My judgment, logic and rationalisation are based on a discipline that states I bet because I know long term I have the odds in my favour. 

Another concept of psychology is called the Fundamental Attribution Error. A complicated word for a simple reasoning. A phrased coined by Lee Ross. 

Here is a definition: In social psychology, the fundamental attribution error, also known as the correspondence bias or attribution effect, is the claim that in contrast to interpretations of their own behavior, people place undue emphasis on internal characteristics of the agent (character or intention), rather than external factors, in explaining other people's behavior.

Basically, people interpret your behaviour differently to theirs. They blame you for mistakes but reason that it was another factor for theirs. 

You dropped that cup while washing up because you are clumsy not that it was slippery as hell. 

If you need to understand someone it is best to ask what they are thinking or show interest in their explanation. 

As with gambling, just because you do not know the key to success it doesn't mean that others cannot prove with their expertise they can win.