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Internet addiction

Ktlin Konstabel

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God in a box

Zeigarnik effect

Variable ratio reinforcement schedule ->schedule of reinforcement where a response is reinforced after

an unpredictable number of responses

- > highest rate of responding and greatest

resistance to extinction!

Content + internet as medium/syringe

Disinhibition & deindividuation & anonymity

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What is norm what is disorder? Subjective norm people like me

Cultural norm what most people do Statistical norm 2 standard deviations from

around the population mean

Normative norm what people should do

Clinical norm adds functionality: how

disturbing it is?

Whats your approach to normality as concerns

internet use?

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Criticism Internet is no more compulsive than other leisure

activities even if these activities sometimesinterrupt other aspects of lives

- > there is little alarm about TV or telephone addiction?

Maybe we should talk about techological addictioninstead?

Focus should be on specific online activities

Is it a unique disorder or rather a symptom of other

disorders?

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DSM-V (2013) IA needs further study

Labeling behavior as addiction excusesthese behaviors and predisposes people to

do nothing about it

If its a real disease - whos responsible?

Software developers or person him/herself?

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Support

Internet causes specific psychologicaleffects not found elsewhere

Structural brain changes similar to chemicaladdictions; responds to drugs in similar way

Growing problem denial causes moreproblems that overreacting in the long run

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Stop-start relapse cycle(Young, 2001)1. Rationalization I deserve it", I can control it", Just

a few minutes wont hurt

2. Regret and guilt (I cant believe I wasted all this time,Im a horrible person for what I just did)

3. Abstinence viewing ones behaviour as a personalfailure of willpower; promises never to do it again

4. Relapse during stressful moments; memories ofhow exciting and/or selfmedicating being online was

(and then back to no 1)

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Addiction?Abuse? Dependence? Compulsion? Problematicinternet use? Digital addiction

DIAR (Greenfield, 2009)- desireto stop, inabilityto

stop, attemptsto stop, relapseto previous usepattern

Engaging in intoxicating/pleasurablebehaviour (to alter mood or consciousness)

A pattern of excessive use

Negative impact on one/various spheres of

living

Tolerance & withdrawal features

Parallel - pathological gambling?

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Is duration or quantity of internet use

important? not necessarily!

the same high degree of computer useexhibited by two people might beconsidered either pathological or non

pathological depending upon the impactthat this has upon their life

(Charlton and Danforth, 2007)

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All the following (15) must be present:

1. Is preoccupied with the Internet (thinks about previous onlineactivity or anticipate next online session)2. Needs to use the Internet with increased amounts of time in

order to achieve satisfaction (plus need for better equipment)

3. Has made unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stopInternet use4. Is restless, moody, depressed, or irritable when attempting tocut down or stop Internet use

5. Has stayed online longer than originally intended

And at least one of the following:1. Hasjeopardized or risked the loss of a significant relationship,

job, educational, or career opportunity because of the Internet2. Has lied to family members, therapist, or others to conceal the

extent of involvement with the Internet3. Uses the Internet as a way of escaping from problems or of

relieving a dysphoric mood (e.g., feelings of helplessness, guilt,anxiety, depression) Criteria according to (Beard & Wolfe, 2001)

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How to study? Self-reports unreliable

Mostly small and diverse samples Question of cut-off scores (how much is

too much) Internet changes

Prevalence.? (Finland 4-5%...India 38%?)

Comorbidity? Are correlates predictors? no..

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Generalized vs specific addiction Generalized not dependent on specific

applications; compulsive use of the Internetitself

Specific involves the overuse/abuse of a

content-specific function of the Internet

(gambling, games, pornography, shopping)

Internet addiction as a symptom of some

other (impulse control) disorder

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Generalized addiction Internet as a mean to modulate negative affect

& escape pressures & control moods-> comorbidity with depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety

disorders

However, direction of relationship is notClear

More likely to use the Internet for

communicative purposes, to meet newpeople and to find support

Those with IA are more confident online

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Statements characteristic to general IA Its easier to find friends online

Im more open up and friendlier online than in

real life

I have a network of online friends

Internet is socially liberating

Im more myself online

I have more fun with people I know online

I share intimate secrets online I prefer online communication to the f2f one

My online friends understand me better than

other people

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Compensation theory Internet can offer things not available irl (or

so it seems):Relationships, self-esteem, positive identity,

positive mood

Internet as a source for entertainment or

spirituality as opposed to career-oriented

real life

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What about loneliness?Two hypotheses:

Internet causes loneliness vs the lonely aredrawn to the InternetKraut 1998 & 2002 classical and controversial study -

after being online for 2-3 years loneliness anddepression are not related to the Internet use

rich-get-richer-> internet magnifies existingpersonality traits and... problems?

Increased IA probability for lonely people (use

both for communication and to feel better)

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Possible predictors Impulsivity! Novelty-seeking/risk-taking/sensation-seeking

Enhanced reward sensitivity and decreased losssensitivity (see: God in the box, internet and reinforcement)

Perfectionism, emotion regulation problems,loneliness -> escapism

Low self-directedness (subjective feeling of control

over ones life) Denial as ego defense mechanism

Emotion focused (not problem focused) coping

strategy tendency to deal with emotions, not fixproblems

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Other existing psychological problems (socialanxiety, depression, bipolarity, burnout)

Aftermath of childhood parental extremes:parents lacking in emotional warmth, over-involved, rejecting, lacking in responsiveness,punitive, over-intrusive

Parents underestimating kids overinvolvement

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Denial as problem Internet as a part of everyday life

Very seldom people contact specialists and

admit IA how to notice?

Easier with children so far

Influence of specialists/therapists ownattitudes?

Getting information about withdrawal etcdifficult family, friends should be engaged

in therapy

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Self-help strategies If IA criteria are met seek professional help!

Whats behind addiction? Whats missing irl?

General time & stress management skills Practice the opposite identifying ones pattern of

Internet use and doing neutral activities during that time

Use external stoppers use of external prompts, for example,an alarm clock to remind when it is time to log off

Setting clear and realistic goals

Reminder cards negative consequence of Internet use are

written down on a reminder card and carried at all times

Personal inventory make a list of hobbies (compare thenand and now)

Abstinence???