Papers by Michelle Jarick
For number-form synaesthetes, digits occupy idiosyncratic spatial locations. Atypical to the ment... more For number-form synaesthetes, digits occupy idiosyncratic spatial locations. Atypical to the mental number line that extends horizontally, the synaesthete (L) experiences the numbers 1-10 vertically. We used a spatial cueing task to demonstrate that L's attention could be automatically directed to locations within her number-space -being faster to detect targets appearing in synaesthetically cued locations. We sought to eliminate any influence of strategy on L's performance by: (a) shortening the cue-target onset to 150 ms, (b) making the cues counterpredictive, and (c) instructing L to use an opposing strategy. If L's performance was attributable to intentionally using the cue to predict target location, these manipulations should eliminate any cuing effects consistent with her synaesthesia. However, L showed an attentional bias compatible with her number-form, except when explicitly instructed of the opposing strategy and given enough time (800 ms). Therefore, we attribute L's resilient cueing effects to the automaticity of her number-form.
Journal of Gambling Studies, 2013
Near-misses in slot machines resemble jackpot wins but fall just short. Previous research has dem... more Near-misses in slot machines resemble jackpot wins but fall just short. Previous research has demonstrated that near-misses are behaviorally reinforcing despite the absence of monetary reward. We assessed the hedonic properties of near-misses by measuring the time between outcome delivery and the initiation of the next spin-the postreinforcement pause (PRP) and skin conductance responses (SCRs) for losses, near-misses, and a range of wins (5, 15, 25, 50 or 250 credits) while participants (N = 122) played a slot machine simulator. PRPs and SCRs were compared for 40 low frequency and 22 high frequency slots players who were non-problem gamblers, 37 at risk players, and 23 problem gamblers. For winning outcomes, PRPs and SCRs tracked monotonically with win size such that progressively larger wins were associated with progressively larger PRPs and SCRs. Near-misses with jackpot symbols landing on the first two reels had significantly larger SCRs than regular losses, and other types of near misses. Crucially, PRPs for this kind of near-miss were significantly smaller than all wins, and when non-parametric statistics were used, significantly smaller than regular losses. This pattern of large SCRs and small PRPs suggest that these are highly frustrating outcomes that stimulate appetitive components of the reward system to promote continued gambling.
International Gambling Studies, 2011
Near-misses in slot machines resemble jackpot wins but fall just short (e.g. two red sevens on th... more Near-misses in slot machines resemble jackpot wins but fall just short (e.g. two red sevens on the payline and a third just above). These outcomes have been shown to be subjectively arousing outcomes that promote further slot machine play. We assessed the psychophysical responses of 65 participants to wins, losses and near-misses while playing a slot machine simulator. Skin conductance responses were significantly larger for near-misses than either wins or losses. Similarly, heart rate deceleration was significantly larger for near-misses than either wins or losses. These arousal responses were not mediated by players' problem gambling status -near-misses generated large arousal responses even among novice players. We propose that these arousal patterns are due to the frustration of just missing a big win. This research shows the psychophysiological responses triggered by near-misses, and furthers our understanding of how near-misses promote further play.
International Gambling Studies, 2013
On multiline slot machines, 'wins' often amount to less than the spin wager, resulting in a monet... more On multiline slot machines, 'wins' often amount to less than the spin wager, resulting in a monetary loss to the gambler. Nevertheless, these losses disguised as wins (LDWs) are accompanied by potentially reinforcing audiovisual feedback. A concern for gambling behaviour is whether or not players categorize LDWs as wins or losses, as miscategorization could effectively increase the reinforcement rate of these games. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether novice gamblers psychologically miscategorize LDWs. Forty-seven novices (undergraduate students) played 200 spins on an actual slot machine with credits, then estimated how often they won. It was found that the more LDWs players were exposed to, the higher their win estimates. In a subsequent 'think out loud' playing session, the majority of novices also verbally miscategorized LDWs as wins. We conclude that LDWs could increase the reinforcement rate of these games, despite not increasing the payout to the gambler.
Frontiers in Psychology, 2013
Time-space synaesthetes "see" time units organized in a spatial form. While the structure might b... more Time-space synaesthetes "see" time units organized in a spatial form. While the structure might be invariant for most synaesthetes, the perspective by which some view their calendar is somewhat flexible. One well-studied synaesthete L adopts different viewpoints for months seen vs. heard. Interestingly, L claims to prefer her auditory perspective, even though the month names are represented visually upside down. To verify this, we used a spatial-cueing task that included audiovisual month cues. These cues were either congruent with L's preferred "auditory" viewpoint (auditory-only and auditory + month inverted) or incongruent (upright visual-only and auditory + month upright). Our prediction was that L would show enhanced cueing effects (larger response time difference between valid and invalid targets) following the audiovisual congruent cues since both elicit the "preferred" auditory perspective. Also, when faced with conflicting cues, we predicted L would choose the preferred auditory perspective over the visual perspective. As we expected, L did show enhanced cueing effects following the audiovisual congruent cues that corresponded with her preferred auditory perspective, but that the visual perspective dominated when L was faced with both viewpoints simultaneously. The results are discussed with relation to the reification hypothesis of sequence space synaesthesia .
Cortex, 2009
Time-space associations Visual attention Spatial cueing Spatial forms a b s t r a c t Synaesthesi... more Time-space associations Visual attention Spatial cueing Spatial forms a b s t r a c t Synaesthesia is a fascinating condition whereby individuals report extraordinary experiences when presented with ordinary stimuli. Here we examined an individual (L) who experiences time units (i.e., months of the year and hours of the day) as occupying specific spatial locations (January is 30 to the left of midline). This form of time-space synaesthesia has been recently investigated by Smilek et al. (2007) who demonstrated that synaesthetic time-space associations are highly consistent, occur regardless of intention, and can direct spatial attention. We extended this work by showing that for the synaesthete L, her timespace vantage point changes depending on whether the time units are seen or heard. For example, when L sees the word JANUARY, she reports experiencing January on her left
Cortex, 2009
M.J. Dixon). a v a i l a b l e a t w w w . s c i e n c e d i r e c t . c o m j o u r n a l h o m ... more M.J. Dixon). a v a i l a b l e a t w w w . s c i e n c e d i r e c t . c o m j o u r n a l h o m e p a g e : w w w . e l s e v i e r . c o m / l o c a t e / c o r t e x 0010-9452/$ -see front matter ª
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Papers by Michelle Jarick