Assessment of delay discounting as a measure of impulsivity in problem video gamers
by LaVigne, Joshua C., Ph.D., THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN - MILWAUKEE, 2010, 78 pages; 3437980

Abstract:

Problem video gaming has been described colloquially as an addiction. Although some research has discovered that problem video gaming shares its topography of symptoms with those of recognized addictions, there are many other factors that have yet to be explored. Increased impulsivity, a common factor among the recognized addictions, has not been studied for the problem video gamer. The purpose of this study was to use the delay discounting model to assess differences in impulsivity between problem video gamers and non-problem video gamers. Results indicated that problem video gamers did not discount video game playing at a greater rate than controls. In fact, some problem video garners reported that they chose to maximize their time spent video gaming, the opposite of the hypothesized result. The results found here should be used as a stepping stone for further research into the new and relatively unstudied area of video game addiction.

 
AdviserSusan D. Lima
SchoolTHE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN - MILWAUKEE
SourceDAI/B 72-02, p. , Jan 2011
Source TypeDissertation
SubjectsBehavioral sciences
Publication Number3437980
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