Communications of the ACM
New Framework Could Help Online Addicts Reduce Their sage
Binghamton University researchers have developed a new computer model that could help Internet addicts.
Credit: Askideas.com
Binghamton University researchers have developed a new computer model that could help Internet addicts realize their usage is a problem and reduce it.
The framework is based on a psychological theory known as cognitive dissonance, which is the discomfort felt by those who actions conflict with their beliefs. The model shows the degree of users' cognitive dissonance can make a difference in their willingness to quit their online addiction.
The researchers tested the model on data collected from 226 Binghamton students, who said how much they were intending to either stop or continue their usage of social networking sites.
The findings show a plausible way to help individuals reduce or quit usage is to increase their cognitive dissonance. In addition, the findings suggest making users aware of their addiction, especially the consequences to their personal, social, and academic lives, increases their cognitive dissonance about their behavior.
"It's through this cognitive dissonance, a negative emotional state of mind, that once created can actually have an impact on the actual behavior and intention of people to stop or discontinue their usage habit," says Binghamton professor Isaac Vaghefi.
From Binghamton University
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