Cross-cultural correlates of games of chance

Behavior Science Notes • Vol/Iss. 1 • Published In 1966 • Pages: 131-144 •

By Roberts, John M., Sutton-Smith, Brian

Abstract

Authors investigate the cross-cultural correlates of games of chance. They advance a "conflict-enculturation" model to explain why individuals choose to engage in games of chance in particular (as opposed to games of strategy or physical skill). They suggest that games of chance are linked to cultures with antecedent conflict and/or feelings of powerlessness in the presence of uncertainty; both are psychological stressors whose effects may be assuaged by play with uncertainty models in the form of games of chance.

Samples
Sample Used	Coded Data	Comment
Ethnographic Atlas (EA)	Other Researchers

Hypotheses (2)
Hypothesis	Supported
"Games of chance occur in the presence of antecedent conflict, particularly in the areas of sex, aggression, achievement, and possibly responsibility" (143)	Supported
"Games of chance occur where . . . outcome . . . in the life situation [is] uncertain, not easily controlled by either physical skill or strategy in areas of environmental setting, food production, social and political interaction, marriage, war and religion" (143)	Supported

Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: mas Christina Carolus

Cross-cultural correlates of games of chance

Behavior Science Notes • Vol/Iss. 1 • Published In 1966 • Pages: 131-144 • Cite

By Roberts, John M., Sutton-Smith, Brian

Abstract

Samples

Hypotheses (2)

Behavior Science Notes • Vol/Iss. 1 • Published In 1966 • Pages: 131-144 •