Abstract
Introduction: This study examined the relationship between Facebook ‘addiction’ and impulsive decision-making. Impulsive decision-making, as measured by the delay discounting task, is associated with a number of addictions and other problem behaviors.
Methods: We gave 75 students a paper-based packet including the Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale to measure Facebook addiction and a delay discounting task to assess one facet of impulsivity, impulsive choice.
Results: When controlling for covariates, we found that those addicted to Facebook discounted delayed rewards more quickly than their non-addicted controls.
Discussion: These findings suggest that those addicted to Facebook may be more impulsive than those who are not addicted to Facebook. These results may indicate that Facebook addiction shares a core characteristic (impulsivity) with other kinds of addiction and further exploration of this area is potentially warranted.
Disclosure statement
This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. The authors have no conflicts of interests to report.