Unit 3 Research Question

How can the influence of divination be effectively challenged to mitigate risk-taking behaviors in gambling?

Developing a previous research question

• Tutorial: I conducted interviews with three friends who have an interest in gambling. One of them does not believe in divination, while the other two have faith in the results of divination. During these interviews, it became evident that the person who does not believe in divination continued to gamble even when he was not feeling happy. In contrast, the two individuals who believed in divination decided to continue gambling based on positive divination outcomes. If they did not win, they tended to attribute it to the divination rather than considering other factors. This observation led to the hypothesis that divination might operate as a placebo. Therefore, this new intervention is designed to explore this assumption.
• Research on the relationship between divination and gambling:In a paper published in 1926, Lévy-Bruhl suggested a resemblance between the mentality of gamblers and diviners, emphasizing the role of the unseen. However, comparing gambling and divination in this way may be overly simplistic, as these practices vary significantly depending on their cultural and contextual backgrounds. Various techniques are involved in both gambling and divination, and they can take on diverse forms in different societies. While some connections between these practices can be identified, it is essential to avoid generalizing all divination practices. Furthermore, ideas of a “mysterious power” or the psychological states of gamblers are not universal, as seen in Inuit and Ibaloy divination, where the role of deceased, spirits, and other beings, including God, is acknowledged. The mysticism Lévy-Bruhl proposed may not have a strong empirical basis.
• Gambling and Religion: The relationship between gambling and religion in various societies throughout history is multifaceted. There are common elements between the two, such as notions of the unknown, mystery, and fate, as well as the idea of suddenly receiving something of great value that can change one’s life for the better. In many traditional cultures, gambling has coexisted with polytheistic and animistic religions, as they share these common elements. However, monotheistic religions that claim authority in religious matters tend to disapprove of gambling. This disapproval has been further exacerbated by the perception that gambling provides an alternative to certain religious concepts and experiences. The shared elements between gambling and religion have sometimes led to conflicts between the two.

Proposed Intervention

First, select a group of individuals willing to participate, preferably those who have previously shown an interest in or belief in divination.

Split into two groups: Randomly divide this group into two categories, namely the experimental group and the control group. Ensure that the grouping process is random to avoid bias.

Experimental Group: Participants in the experimental group will receive divination services, such as astrology, tarot card readings, crystal ball predictions, etc. Ensure that the diviners are legitimate professionals.

Control Group: Participants in the control group will receive a simulated treatment, meaning they will not actually undergo divination, but they will be given similar time and attention as the experimental group.

Predicting Results: After the divination and simulated treatment, ask all participants about their feelings, beliefs, and emotional states. Collect data through questionnaires or face-to-face interviews to understand whether their perceptions and beliefs have changed.

Analyzing Results:

If participants in the experimental group report feeling more satisfied, at ease, or having stronger beliefs, and the control group does not exhibit similar changes, this might suggest that divination is merely a placebo effect. This is because divination does not actually alter facts or the future but improves participants’ feelings and emotional states by providing psychological comfort.

However, it is important to note that this does not necessarily render divination ineffective. While it may be a placebo, it can indeed provide certain individuals with psychological support and comfort. The purpose of this experimental design is to help people understand that divination may be primarily a psychological phenomenon and not a genuine method for predicting the future, in order to avoid excessive belief in it.