Neural correlates of response inhibition and performance monitoring in binge watching

With increasing popularity of internet streaming portals, the question why people develop excessive binge-watching behavior has become a focus of scientific research. The possible negative consequences of this behavior and its proximity to behavioral addictions are discussed. Since deficits of response inhibition and performance monitoring have been associated with substance use and addictive behaviors, we examined the hypothesis whether frequent binge watching is characterized by alterations in these processes. The current study examined response inhibition in a go/nogo task and performance monitoring in a flanker task using electroencephalography. Participants reported frequent binge-watching episodes (HBW, n = 35) or no binge-watching behavior (NBW, n = 33) during the past four weeks. Compared to the NBW group, HBW showed larger P3a and P3b during response inhibition and larger error-related negativity (ERN) for errors in the flanker task. Group differences in behavioral measures were not observed. The neurocognitive profile associated with frequent binge watching differs from externalizing disorders, such as substance use disorders and addictive behaviors, which are more likely to be associated with diminished amplitudes during response inhibition and performance monitoring. Current findings of increased activity in performance monitoring and inhibition tend to be associated with internalizing disorders. Therefore, symptoms such as anxiety and worry may play a role in the development of binge-watching behavior.