My name is Michael J. A. Wohl, and I am a psychologist whose research focuses on gambling behaviour, decision-making, and responsible gaming. Over the years my work has centered on understanding how people make decisions in uncertain environments, particularly when those decisions involve risk, reward, and emotional reactions.
Gambling provides a fascinating context for studying human behaviour. When people gamble they are often navigating uncertainty, probability, and emotional responses at the same time. These conditions make gambling an ideal environment for examining how individuals process information, how they respond to wins and losses, and how cognitive biases influence behaviour.
Throughout my academic career I have been particularly interested in how individuals maintain self-control in risky situations. Many people engage in gambling as a form of entertainment, but some individuals may experience difficulty managing their behaviour when faced with repeated opportunities to gamble. Understanding why this happens and how people can develop healthier behavioural strategies has been an important focus of my research.
My work often combines social psychology, behavioural science, and decision-making research to explore the psychological mechanisms that influence gambling behaviour. By studying these processes, I aim to contribute to a better understanding of responsible gambling practices and the ways in which individuals can make informed decisions about their behaviour.
Early Academic Interests
My interest in psychology began during my early academic studies when I became fascinated with the ways in which human behaviour can be influenced by context, expectations, and emotions. Social psychology in particular offered a powerful framework for understanding how individuals interpret experiences and make decisions.
During my early academic training I focused on behavioural decision-making and motivational psychology. These areas of research examine how individuals evaluate choices, how they respond to rewards and setbacks, and how motivation shapes behaviour over time.
As I progressed through my studies I became increasingly interested in the psychological dynamics of gambling environments. Gambling settings often involve uncertainty, rapid decision-making, and emotional highs and lows. These conditions create unique opportunities to examine how people respond to risk and how cognitive processes influence behaviour.
This academic curiosity eventually guided me toward conducting research on gambling behaviour and responsible gaming.
My Academic Career
My professional career has been closely connected with Carleton University, where I have worked as a professor in the Department of Psychology. At the university I conduct research, teach courses in psychology, and supervise graduate students who are interested in behavioural science and decision-making.
Carleton University has provided an excellent environment for interdisciplinary research. Within this academic setting I have had the opportunity to collaborate with researchers from various fields including psychology, public health, and behavioural economics.
Much of my research focuses on understanding the psychological factors that influence gambling behaviour. These factors include emotional regulation, risk perception, impulsivity, and the cognitive biases that sometimes lead individuals to overestimate their control over uncertain outcomes.
In addition to conducting research, I have also worked with organizations interested in responsible gaming initiatives. These collaborations aim to translate psychological research into practical strategies that help individuals maintain control over their gambling behaviour.
Career Timeline
| Year | Institution | Role | Focus Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Graduate Research Programs | Doctoral Researcher | Behavioural psychology and decision-making |
| 2006 | Carleton University | Assistant Professor | Social psychology and behavioural research |
| 2012 | Carleton University | Associate Professor | Gambling behaviour research |
| 2018 | Carleton University | Professor | Responsible gambling and behavioural psychology |
| 2022 | International Research Collaborations | Research Contributor | Responsible gaming policy research |
Selected Publications and Research
Throughout my career I have written numerous research papers examining the psychology of gambling and behavioural decision-making. These publications explore topics such as self-control, motivational psychology, and cognitive biases in gambling environments.
| Year | Publication | Topic | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Self-control and problem gambling behaviour | Psychological mechanisms of gambling | Google Scholar |
| 2014 | Motivational processes in gambling behaviour | Behavioural psychology | ScienceDirect |
| 2016 | Responsible gambling interventions | Harm reduction strategies | ResearchGate |
| 2018 | Commitment devices and gambling behaviour | Self-regulation research | APA PsycNet |
| 2021 | Psychology of gambling risk perception | Risk perception | Scholar Reference |
My Research Interests
| Research Area | Description |
|---|---|
| Gambling Psychology | Understanding psychological processes that influence gambling behaviour. |
| Responsible Gambling | Studying strategies that encourage safer gambling practices. |
| Behavioural Decision-Making | Research on how individuals evaluate risk and reward. |
| Addiction Behaviour | Examining patterns associated with problematic gambling behaviour. |
My Work on Responsible Gambling
A major focus of my research has been understanding how individuals can maintain control over their behaviour in gambling environments. Many people gamble recreationally without experiencing negative consequences, but some individuals may develop problematic patterns of behaviour.
My research often examines the psychological factors that influence these patterns. For example, cognitive biases such as the illusion of control can lead players to believe they have more influence over outcomes than they actually do. Similarly, emotional reactions to wins and losses can influence future decisions.
By studying these psychological processes, researchers can develop strategies that help individuals make more informed decisions and maintain healthier behavioural patterns.
Continuing Research
As gambling environments evolve, particularly with the expansion of online gaming platforms, the psychological dynamics of gambling behaviour continue to change. Digital technologies create new opportunities for research, as online environments provide detailed behavioural data that can help researchers better understand player behaviour.
My ongoing research continues to explore how psychological science can contribute to responsible gaming practices and how behavioural insights can inform policies that support healthier gambling environments.
My Research on Gambling Behaviour and Responsible Gaming
As my research developed over the years, I became increasingly interested in the psychological mechanisms that influence how people gamble. Gambling behaviour is not only about money or chance; it is deeply connected to the way individuals interpret outcomes, regulate emotions, and evaluate risk. My work has focused on examining these psychological processes in order to better understand why people make certain decisions in gambling environments.
One of the central ideas in my research is that gambling behaviour is often influenced by cognitive biases. These biases can shape how individuals interpret both wins and losses. For example, gamblers sometimes develop what psychologists call the illusion of control, where they believe their choices or strategies influence outcomes that are actually determined by chance. Understanding how these perceptions develop has been an important part of my work.
Another topic I frequently study is the way individuals respond emotionally to gambling outcomes. Wins can create excitement and reinforce gambling behaviour, while losses can trigger frustration or the desire to recover previous losses. This emotional cycle can sometimes lead individuals to continue gambling longer than they initially intended. By examining these behavioural patterns, researchers can better understand how gambling habits develop over time.
A large portion of my research also focuses on self-regulation and commitment strategies. Many people who gamble want to maintain control over their behaviour, and psychological research can help identify tools that make this easier. One example is the concept of pre-commitment, where individuals set limits on time or money before they begin gambling. Studies have shown that these types of strategies can help individuals make more deliberate decisions and avoid impulsive behaviour.
In addition to studying individual behaviour, I have also explored how gambling environments influence decision-making. The design of gambling platforms, the speed of games, and the accessibility of digital gambling technologies can all affect how people interact with gambling products. Online gambling platforms, in particular, provide continuous access to games, which can change the pace and frequency of gambling behaviour.
Because of these factors, responsible gaming initiatives have become increasingly important. My work often examines how educational messages, behavioural tools, and policy measures can encourage safer gambling practices. These approaches aim to preserve gambling as a form of entertainment while reducing the potential risks associated with excessive play.
Another important aspect of my research involves collaboration with other scholars and public health organizations. Gambling behaviour intersects with fields such as psychology, economics, and public policy, which means that interdisciplinary research is essential for understanding the broader impacts of gambling activities.
Through continued research and collaboration, I hope to contribute to a deeper understanding of how psychological science can inform responsible gaming practices. As gambling technologies evolve and digital platforms become more widespread, understanding the behavioural dynamics behind gambling decisions will remain an important area of academic study.
