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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???