The psychology of “risk and reward” in Malaysian pastimes

Risk is a part of life in Malaysia and the world in general. People take it when they go after the careers they want, pursue relationships with people they love, or even start families. In all these natural rites of passage, people take on risk. Take starting your own business as an example. You can lose money in the process. But at the same time, you stand the chance to reap big if the business succeeds. And that is the trade-off with risk and reward in life.

So, does this extend to pastimes as well? Absolutely. We take a look at the risks and rewards that exist in popular Malaysian pastimes, which can explain why so many people take risks beyond family and work.

The Psychological Principles behind Malaysian Pastimes

Malaysians have a wide range of pastimes, from puzzles to karaoke nights to hikes. As is the case globally, everyone has different interests that appeal to who they are and their goals. But at the heart of all these pastimes, the following psychological principles are evident.

1. The Jackpot Effect

Many Malaysians will naturally gravitate towards activities that offer them the chance of a big reward, even if the chance of getting the reward is low. Interestingly, the lower their chance of getting the reward, the higher the attraction to the risk. You can see this in many activities, such as races where only the first person gets a prize or games where the winner takes it all.

And what better way to showcase this than by using a now-popular pastime – online casinos? With the growth of online casinos Malaysia, more people have turned to casino games as a way to pass the time, socialize, and make some money. But as you may very well know, games of any kind carry the risk of losing. Of course, the risk and reward trade-off differs for each game, such that games of skill have a lower risk compared to games of chance. As such, many people who want the thrill of the jackpot effect go after games of chance where the likelihood of winning is low, yet the payoff is high. Such games include:

Slots
Roulette
Craps, etc

In these games, players do not have a hand in the outcome of the games, as the output comes down to random number generation. But since these games attract a large number of players, they often have very attractive payout scales, such that a single win can result in a payout of thousands of dollars. This prospect excites players, and they even get a dopamine rush from the anticipation alone.

2. The Search for Sensation

If we are honest, many people work predictable jobs. They know what to expect every day when they clock in, and over time, this predictability wears them down. They cannot help but want more, and they seek this in their pastimes. Specifically, they engage in activities that challenge them physically or mentally, such that when they win, they feel validated.

A good example of this would be rock climbing, which many Malaysians have turned to in their free time. Anyone who has done rock climbing will tell you that it is quite risky. After all, you run the risk of falling, getting injured as you scale the rocks, or even getting lost. So, why would anyone willingly sign on for something this risky? The reward! Not only do rock climbers enjoy the adrenaline rush of being suspended in the air, but they also enjoy an overwhelming sense of accomplishment each time they make it through a challenge. Each completed milestone is a reminder that they are both physically and mentally strong, and this carries over to their work and social life as they show up more confident.

3. The Power of Belonging

As much as we live in a very connected world, many people lack strong social connections, and this has been proven to have negative effects on people’s well-being. It is thus not surprising that many Malaysians are willing to take on risks if they come with the reward of social circles. How so? When people take risks as a group and succeed, they get rewarded with things such as praise, a sense of belonging, and acceptance. But if they fail, they run the risk of being seen as failures or being excluded from social circles.

Take the example of Sepak Takraw. This activity requires all hands on deck, such that teammates must work together to win, with each player attempting difficult maneuvers during the game. If a player gives it their all and contributes to the team winning, then they get to enjoy praise from other team members as well as the crowd. Also, they gain a reputation for being good at the game, which can enable them to make strong connections within the sporting community, as other people will want them on their team. But if they let their team down, they lose more than the game. They also stand the chance of losing their social status, which, as you can imagine, is enough to compel people to push through physical discomfort.

This need for belonging can be seen in many other pastimes that require group work, including games like tug of war or even puzzles where people work as groups.