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What makes Internet addicts continue playing online even when faced by severe negative consequences? Possible
Guangheng Dong1, Yanbo Hu, Xiao Lin
1Department of Psychology, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, Zhejiang Province, PR China.
Biological Psychology
|August 13, 2013
Summary
Internet addiction disorder (IAD) subjects exhibit altered decision-making processes, showing impaired executive function and attention during tasks compared to healthy individuals.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Internet addiction disorder (IAD) is characterized by compulsive internet use.
- Understanding the cognitive mechanisms underlying decision-making in IAD is crucial for developing effective interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mental activities and neural correlates during decision-making in individuals with IAD.
- To examine the effects of wins and losses on subsequent decisions in IAD subjects compared to healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- A continuous wins-and-losses task was employed to assess decision-making behavior.
- Behavioral metrics included response time, repeat rate, and Stroop effect.
- Neuroimaging techniques were used to monitor brain activity in response to task outcomes.
Main Results:
- IAD subjects demonstrated longer response times, lower repeat rates, and a greater Stroop effect.
- Increased activation in the inferior frontal cortex, insula, and anterior cingulate cortex was observed in IAD subjects after wins.
- Decreased activation in the caudate and posterior cingulate cortex was noted in IAD subjects after wins and losses.
Conclusions:
- IAD subjects engage more cognitive resources in decision-making tasks, potentially impairing executive functions.
- Individuals with IAD show deficits in attending to previous choices and outcomes during decision-making.
- These findings highlight cognitive alterations in decision-making processes associated with Internet addiction disorder.
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