Intermittent positive reinforcement. One of the most powerfull tools in modifying behavior, this is when an action is rewarded, not every time but just enough so that the subject will keep repeating the action. When done as an experiment the action is rewarded almost all the time at the start, but then the frequency of rewards becomes lower and more random.
So older bowlers became hooked on playing second arrow back in the day when it was a good place to play, and since it still works on occasion, especially at the start of a set, they get rewarded just enough keep the habit going.
Bookmarks