How real is video game addiction?

[SMOGZINN]

You don't likely understand the science of the random reward mechanic I mentioned, which has a lot of science going back over several decades.

I started my career as a research psychologist at a behaviorist university, I have an advanced degree in the field. I understand operant conditioning and it is different from addiction (probably).

That susceptibility can be exploited and is exploited in ways that addict many people in ways much more than the 'fun' issue.

The 'fun' is the positive reinforcement. You, and so many other people, are calling the drive to fulfill the conditioning an addiction. They are not the same thing. What you are talking about is a compulsive behavior.

Currently the ONLY non-chemical addiction recognised by psychology is gambling, and trust me, that is very controversial. I would not expect it to still be so in the next version of the DSM.

Gambling is probably better understood as an impulse control disorder, it has a known biological bases in that area, and is also almost always comorbid with several other impulse control mental disorders.

I mentioned one strong one - the 'random reward' replicated thousands of times, the design meant to get people to spend huge amounts of time, because it profits the publisher.

This is operant conditioning, not addiction.

There's been more research on the issue you can find, if you would like to find out more about it, instead of just making assumptions.

Honestly, we don't have a good theory of addiction. There is a lot of study on the subject, but it seems unlikely that the same process that fuels heroin addiction also instigates 'gaming' addiction. In the mean time a lot of people, and sadly a lot of them are psychologists who know better, are trying to cash in on peoples fears of addiction.

Video Game 'addiction' is a real mental disorder, but it is not addiction.

 

[brianmanahan]

Seriously, who has the time for that? Unless you are a teenager with no job

single guy, on vacation for thanksgiving

no women or children holdin me down and stealin my time

 

[sandorski]

Video Gaming is the gateway to all forms of Entertainment Addiction!

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Video Gaming is the gateway to all forms of Entertainment Addiction!

It's a gateway to reality tv. Will no one think of the children?

 

[TheSlamma]

The only addicting game in history = WoW

But not anymore, it got boring now...

Those games are rat pellet style.

Good boy here is your next one..

 

[OverVolt]

I started my career as a research psychologist at a behaviorist university, I have an advanced degree in the field. I understand operant conditioning and it is different from addiction (probably).


The 'fun' is the positive reinforcement. You, and so many other people, are calling the drive to fulfill the conditioning an addiction. They are not the same thing. What you are talking about is a compulsive behavior.

Currently the ONLY non-chemical addiction recognised by psychology is gambling, and trust me, that is very controversial. I would not expect it to still be so in the next version of the DSM.

Gambling is probably better understood as an impulse control disorder, it has a known biological bases in that area, and is also almost always comorbid with several other impulse control mental disorders.


This is operant conditioning, not addiction.




Honestly, we don't have a good theory of addiction. There is a lot of study on the subject, but it seems unlikely that the same process that fuels heroin addiction also instigates 'gaming' addiction. In the mean time a lot of people, and sadly a lot of them are psychologists who know better, are trying to cash in on peoples fears of addiction.

Video Game 'addiction' is a real mental disorder, but it is not addiction.

http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletters/harvard_health_letter/2012/may/blue-light-has-a-dark-side/

Its the blue light, from a physiological sense.

https://gigaom.com/2014/09/01/what-is-the-blue-light-from-our-screens-really-doing-to-our-eyes/

It explains everything of a "videogame addict"

The insomnia, thus poor work performance, the light is stimulating at night, so you are more dull in alertness during the day. Anybody whose stayed up too late playing games knows what I mean, which is just about everybody (On this forum anyway).

I feel its likely a separate issue from the games that try to keep you playing for as long as possible. But when you combine the two I feel its bad news.

Video games require constant eye contact on screen, which is different than TV because my eyes will typically wander when the show gets disinteresting. Whereas some types of videogames, but not all, are constantly vying for your attention. You can go what... 0.2 seconds without looking at a racing game before you fly off the track?

I typically have two requirements for games these days

#1 can be paused

OR

#2 Can be played in "Matches" of 15-20 min or less with breaks in-between.

Try looking at your tablet FIRST thing in the morning and tell me how appealing it is to look at versus the night. Its not a content thing. The content almost doesn't matter. The use of tablets/phones/etc for EVERYONE starts off very low early in the day and skyrockets right before bed.

 

[brianmanahan]

The only addicting game in history = WoW

But not anymore, it got boring now...

meh, it wasnt that addicting. i only played WoW cuz i had just had brain surgery and didnt really feel like doing much else. i got to level 40, got sick of the grind, and called it quits.

i was way more addicted to asherons call, but just because it was so awesome