Computer Addiction

Question 1

Cybersexual addiction

Answer 1

use of adult Web sites for cybersex and/or pornography

Question 2

Cyber relationship addiction

Answer 2

over-involvement with online relationships/dating

Question 3

Net compulsions

Answer 3

online gambling, shopping and stock trading

Question 4

Information overload

Answer 4

web-surfing and database searching

Question 5

Addiction to interactive, multiplayer computer games

Answer 5

addiction to playing interactive computer games

Question 6

“Normal” Computer Use

Answer 6

1. Part of the Workplace
2. Source of information, curiosity, adventure, games, & social interaction
3. Number of users online is now estimated at 3.06 billion
4. World population: 7.29 billion
5. Penetration in population now 40%

Question 7

Development of Excessive Computer Use

Answer 7

1. Starts with email or internet for research, “normal” use
2. Begins association with tension relief or gratification
3. Increasing online time, overuse
4. Isolated and ignore other aspects
5. Can lead to severe consequences

Question 8

Internet Addiction

Answer 8

1. Relationships suffered
2. Attempted to conceal nonessential use
3. Felt preoccupied by the internet when offline
4. Found it hard to stay away for several days
5. Utilized internet to escape negative moods
6. Had tried to cut back on internet use
7. Stayed online longer than intended

Question 9

Compulsive Computer Use Addiction Cycle

Answer 9

1. Preoccupation with thoughts about computer use/ internet
2. Binge - loss of control over use
3. Withdrawal-Depression

Question 10

Withdrawal Syndrome

Answer 10

1. Cannot stop thinking about Internet
2. Feel empty, depressed or irritable when not at computer or when use is limited
3. Crave computer use - unable to cut back
4. Suicide-individuals playing virtual-reality games have killed themselves

Question 11

Preoccupation-anticipation

Answer 11

1. Tolerance - large increase in use, excessive searching, message posting, log-in middle of night
2. Users become obsessed, craving

Question 12

Toxicity

Answer 12

• Debt
• Disruptuption of daily life
• Physical Problems

Question 13

Underregulation-Strength

Answer 13

Temporary weakness - negative affective states (low self-esteem; shyness, interpersonal problems)

• Computing experience exciting or thrilling
• Leads to mood regulation (misregulation)

Question 14

Underregulation- Monitoring

Answer 14

• Loss of Self-Awareness
• Renegade Attention
  1. Hypnotized or mesmerized
  2. Lost in world of computing & loses sense of reality
• Leads to transcendence failure

Question 15

Underregulation- Psychological Inertia

Answer 15

• Difficult to stop once engaged

- Behavior becomes automatic, habitual

Question 16

Misregulation- Distortion in self-knowledge

Answer 16

Pride in being ‘expert’

Question 17

Misregulation-Irrational or faulty beliefs

Answer 17

Virtual or alternate reality more attractive than one’s own reality

Question 18

Spiraling Distress

Answer 18

1. Lapse activated pattern
2. Mood increase short-lived
3. Toxic consequences:
   a. Financial problems
   b. Alienation of family
   c. Disappointment with self
4. Escape from negative moods - turn to computing - cycle begins again