Chinese and English Probabilistic Thinking and Risk Taking in Gambling

Abstract

This study investigated cultural differences in probabilistic thinking and risk taking. A View of Uncertainty Questionnaire assessed the probabilistic thinking of Chinese and English gamblers and nongamblers and a hypothetical Horse Racing Task assessed risk-taking behavior ( N = 120). The Chinese exhibited significantly less probabilistic thinking and riskier gambling decisions. A path analysis found that degree of probabilistic thinking was one (but not the only) source of the observed cultural differences in risk taking.