Effects of Reinforcement Rate and Interval on Online Slot Machine Immersion and Post-Reinforcement Pauses

Session Title

Poster session

Presentation Type

Poster Presentation

Start Date

27-5-2026 12:00 AM

Abstract

Background Little is known about how structural characteristics of gambling products combine to influence risk potential. We tested how slot machine reinforcement rate and interval combine to influence game immersion and reinforcement processing, hypothesizing synergistic effects. Sample and Methods In a 2 × 2 within-subjects design manipulating reinforcement rate and interval, 233 online panel participants played slot machine simulations with smartphone. The rate manipulation reduced reinforcement rate from 36 to 9%. The interval manipulation increased the average interval between reinforcements by 48% by doubling reel spin duration while holding reinforcement rate at 36%. The combined condition involved both a reduced reinforcement rate (9%) and doubled reel spin duration. Results The 4 conditions did not differ in post-game reports of immersion. In-game immersion ratings (using single-question prompts) were significantly lower in the combined reinforcement ratio + interval manipulation, and not by isolated rate and interval manipulations. Lower reinforcement rates resulted in longer post-reinforcement pauses (PRPs) following losses disguised as wins (LDWs, i.e. partial returns on a wager), suggesting that scarcer reinforcement may increase its salience or potency. This resulted in a loss of distinction between LDWs and genuine wins, which was especially pronounced under the rate + interval manipulation.

Author Bios

Isaac Kim is a graduate student in Behavioral Neuroscience in the Department of Psychology at West Virginia University, studying under the supervision of Dr. Mariya Cherkasova. His research interests are structural characteristics of gambling products, immersion, physiological, and behavioral markers of reinforcement processing.

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May 27th, 12:00 AM

Effects of Reinforcement Rate and Interval on Online Slot Machine Immersion and Post-Reinforcement Pauses

Background Little is known about how structural characteristics of gambling products combine to influence risk potential. We tested how slot machine reinforcement rate and interval combine to influence game immersion and reinforcement processing, hypothesizing synergistic effects. Sample and Methods In a 2 × 2 within-subjects design manipulating reinforcement rate and interval, 233 online panel participants played slot machine simulations with smartphone. The rate manipulation reduced reinforcement rate from 36 to 9%. The interval manipulation increased the average interval between reinforcements by 48% by doubling reel spin duration while holding reinforcement rate at 36%. The combined condition involved both a reduced reinforcement rate (9%) and doubled reel spin duration. Results The 4 conditions did not differ in post-game reports of immersion. In-game immersion ratings (using single-question prompts) were significantly lower in the combined reinforcement ratio + interval manipulation, and not by isolated rate and interval manipulations. Lower reinforcement rates resulted in longer post-reinforcement pauses (PRPs) following losses disguised as wins (LDWs, i.e. partial returns on a wager), suggesting that scarcer reinforcement may increase its salience or potency. This resulted in a loss of distinction between LDWs and genuine wins, which was especially pronounced under the rate + interval manipulation.