Have you ever heard of someone apparently operating under the assumption that when a slot machine (or any other random event) is going to hit, they can sense it? Or how once we have a spell of victories, we will tell ourselves we must be doing something right, even though the outcome is all happenstance? This effect is not exclusive to casinos; it is everywhere we encounter digital spaces, where we get gaming apps or social media push notifications. It is an old method by which the human brain overvalues the ability to predict random results. Let’s unpack why.
The Illusion of Control
Human beings are pattern-seeking machines. In times of uncertainty, we desire the feeling of being in charge, when it is not the case. This is the illusion of control: a propensity to think that we have control over random things.
Consider dice throwing, coin tossing, or even number selection in a lottery. The manner in which you toss it, the hour of the day, the tactics you use, you may be inclined to think–but in the real sense, it is all luck. But that does not prevent us from attributing skill to chance. This prejudice creeps into daily online routines, such as playing online cards or participating in online casino jackpots, like the one on Betrolla Greece. Unpredictable rewards are sure to be interpreted as meaningful by our brains.
Mental Processes that Underlie Skill Overestimation.
There are two tricks of the mind, pattern recognition and personal attribution, which are at work.
First, we have brain structures that tend to find a pattern, even when it does not exist. This is what makes the so-called hot-hand fallacy, where a winning spurt makes the players think that they are on fire, and that the winning process will continue. It is also the reason why a digital interaction metric, such as a streak count or a variable rewards system, is so persuasive: we subconsciously believe that we are becoming better, learning something, or earning our fortunes.
Second, human beings are very capable of giving themselves credit in the event of victory and externalizing the event of loss. When we win, it is due to skill, and when we lose, it is due to bad fortune or a glitch. This self-serving bias enhances the illusion of control, which fuels longer sessions and increased emotion and engagement. It is a thinking shortcut, but with actual effects, the fatigue of decision-making sets in, dopamine circuits are heightened, and we seek the next high of instant gratification.
The Functions of the Brain: Dopamine and Reward.
Neuroscience also explains more about why this illusion is so invincible. Dopamine, the neurotransmitter that is associated with pleasure and reward, not only spikes in case we win but also in anticipation of a possible reward. It means even the possibility of a jackpot similar to those on Betrolla Greece induces the dopamine effect.
The ventral striatum of the brain, which makes us judge rewards and motivation, and the prefrontal cortex, which makes decisions, interact in a manner that deceives us into believing that we are in control. In effect, when a variable reward comes out of the blue, our brain systems solidify the impression that our behaviors-or abilities-matter, in cases that they do not. This leads to behavioral patterns that keep us occupied over time, to the extent that they hinder rational decision-making.
Digital Environment Cases.
Casinos are not the only ones that take advantage of our patterns and love for fluctuating rewards. The digital environment is full of tiny means to force us to overestimate the ability of randomness.
Use gamified applications, web-based card games, or loot boxes. Designers know that intermittent reinforcement, which is different rewards offered at different times, creates engagement among users. Whenever we believe our decisions have any impact, we play longer, press more buttons, and pursue the excitement of so-called skill-based victory. This is the same theory as massive casino jackpots on sites such as Betrolla Greece: they are completely random, but the algorithm tempts a user into thinking that they will be able to influence the outcomes with the use of strategy, timing, or simple perseverance.
Social media feeds and mobile game notifications, even when it is not about gambling, capitalize on the same behavioral tendencies. Each digital badge, each like, and each reward activates a dopamine cycle, pushing users to repeat the behavior, support their habits, and in some cases, causing them to overestimate the effects of their effort. The psychological parallel between online activity and gambling activity is astonishing–and the reason why the illusion of control is essential to those who interact in online space.