Facebook addiction and impulsive decision-making

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.

Keywords:

• Facebook
• impulsivity
• delay discounting
• social networking sites
• decision-making
• problem use

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.