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The Effects of an Accidental Extinction Procedure on Pokey Players: A Brief Report on the Melbourne Effect

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 October 2014

Linda McDonald ,
Stewart McDonald  and
Greg Murphy
Linda McDonald*
Affiliation:
University of Alberta
Stewart McDonald
Affiliation:
Grant MacEwan Community College
Greg Murphy
Affiliation:
La Trobe University
*
Department of Educational Psychology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, T6G 2G5, Canada
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Abstract

Extinction is a well-researched behavioural procedure that is used to reduce in frequency, or eliminate, behaviour that is judged to be inappropriate or excessive. Typically, the procedure is implemented contingent upon the exhibition of the behaviour targeted for change. In the present study, the effects of an accidental extinction procedure on pokey players' behaviour are discussed. Extinction is deemed “accidental” in that the procedure came into effect as the result of a power failure. Results demonstrate a gradual reduction in attempts to operate the poker machines over the extinction period, as well as an increase in the collateral behaviours of beverage (primary alcohol) consumption, cigarette lighting, and social interactions. Implications of this study for further research are discussed.

Type
Research Article
Information
Behaviour Change , Volume 12 , Issue 3 , September 1995 , pp. 151 - 157
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 1995

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