Working Memory Depletion Affects Intertemporal Choice Among Internet Addicts and Healthy Controls

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Neuroscience
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Internet addiction is a growing concern, presenting as a novel addictive behavior.
• Previous research indicates working memory deficits correlate with poor decision-making, favoring immediate rewards.
• The specific impact of working memory on intertemporal choice in internet addicts remains under-explored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the influence of working memory tasks on intertemporal choices in individuals with and without internet addiction.
• To compare decision-making patterns between internet addicts and healthy controls.

Main Methods:

• Recruited 33 participants with internet addiction and 25 healthy controls.
• Administered an Internet Addiction test, a delay discounting questionnaire, and a working memory task.
• Analyzed differences in delay discounting rates, reaction times, and memory accuracy.

Main Results:

• Internet addicts displayed significantly higher delay discounting rates than controls.
• Reaction times were longer in the 4-level working memory condition compared to the 2-level condition for both groups.
• Higher working memory load was associated with increased preference for smaller, immediate rewards and longer response times.

Conclusions:

• Internet addicts tend to make more short-sighted decisions than non-addicted individuals.
• Working memory capacity influences intertemporal choice, with higher loads potentially leading to impulsive decisions.
• Findings highlight the relationship between working memory, decision-making, and internet addiction.