News - What is the reason that consumers are so addicted to the claw crane machine?

At present, there are all kinds of claw crane machine on the market, all over shopping malls, cinemas, supermarkets, and pedestrian streets. How does such a simple amusement equipment attract this group of people step by step? What is the psychological secret behind this wonderful attraction?

claw-crane-machine

01. Fragmented entertainment is more suitable for daily needs

The process of “small-scale addiction” is also a process of intensive consumption of attention resources, which just helps people release stress and regulate their emotions, so even adults will not refuse to “catch a few” occasionally. Another important reason for the popularity of the claw crane machine is its “fragmented entertainment” feature.

There are several factors in this characteristic: one is “low threshold of economy and time cost”, and the other is “high contact rate in a relaxing environment”. The place where the claw crane machine is placed is itself a place for leisure and consumption. The third is “convenience and fun”. Although some people specialize in grasping doll skills, they can play without skills. The simple operation and the atmosphere full of innocence and fun further enhance people’s participation.

 

02. Small-scale addiction caused by dopamine

Don’t underestimate the claw crane machine. When people throw a few coins into the claw crane machine, they expect to catch the doll they want. The joy brought by that expectation and excitement is very easy. Addictive.

If the doll is successfully caught, the brain circuit will secrete dopamine to bring sweet feelings, but if it is not caught, the dopamine level will drop very low, bringing the feeling of “disappointment”. At this time, in order to re-enhance the experience, people often grab and grab again, and the process is fascinating. Even if you know that the probability of catching the doll is far less than the probability of failing, it is still difficult to give up the temptation of “one more time”.

The more attempts, the greater the sunk cost, and the more difficult it is for people to extricate themselves, making it more tempting to pull out a coin and play a few more times.

 

03. Reduce the defense of others and shorten the psychological distance

There is another interesting phenomenon about catching dolls: young couples tend to catch dolls more than children and give dolls to each other, and even mature, serious adults are often not ashamed to catch dolls, and even happy to socialize Show loot on the web.

This is actually a defensive mentality-driven interpersonal interaction. It is undeniable that the act of “catching dolls” itself, the process of focusing on catching dolls, and the images of various dolls are all “dumb and cute”, and this kind of “dumb cuteness” is precisely to draw closer psychologically in interpersonal relationships. The invisible weapon of distance. These transmissions and expressions, whether intentional or not, are reducing the defenses of others, and at the same time, they are also strengthening self-defense. The beauty of them is worth understanding.


Post time: Jan-10-2022