A reward and incentive-sensitization perspective on compulsive use of social networking sites – Wanting but not liking predicts checking frequency and problematic use behavior

The use of Social Networking Sites (SNSs) has exponentially increased over the past decade, leading to warnings about addictive potential this technology. Yet, idea SNS addiction remains controversial and more theory-driven research is required understand mechanisms excessive compulsive facilitate development targeted interventions helping affected users. In present article we propose utilize a reward-based approach further our understanding these behaviors. particular, suggest that concepts borrowed from drug literature focus on incentive processes (incentive-sensitization cue reactivity) can explain some behaviors, such as checking. One elemental finding neurobiological repeated exposure rewarding substance render brain’s reward system oversensitive cues related drug. We report preliminary findings 358 participants showing cue-elicited urges SNSs characterized both problematic Moreover, desires (wanting responses) could be reliably dissociated enjoyment pleasure (liking associated with SNSs, latter being less predictive intensity problematicity behaviors than former. Such divergence between motivational hedonic another hallmark in food rewards. Together initial thus examining alterations holds promise identify avenues help individuals.