The Need to Text Now: Delay Discounting of Texting in Younger Adults
June 8, 2011
I’m Paul Atchley from the University of Kansas, and I presented my research at the APS 23rd Annual Convention in Washington, DC.
This study examined the seemingly addictive nature of texting in younger adults by looking at their willingness to delay texting for a monetary reward. Compared to the willingness to wait for a larger, later monetary reward, participants were less likely to further delay their opportunity to text.
Choices Theme Poster Session – Board: – 033
Saturday, May 28, 2011, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Columbia Hall
Paul Atchley
University of Kansas
Amelia Warden
University of Kansas
Comments
great video. reminded me of the early delay of gratification experiments with 5 year olds. it seems delay of gratification is becoming an ever more important measure as we are demanded to be always on these days… x sydney
Who’d have thought that staying connected would be so addictive to young people. It’s as if they are lost without knowing where they stand in the group. But here’s the thing what is the cost to them if they don’t remain jacked in to the the net. Loss of a sense of who they are compared to the group. A loss of a sense of status, (no one want’s to be the one to be left in the dark). Or the cost of boredom. These and much more are likely drivers to the obsession of some to remain connected. Interestingly though adults demonstrate a similar attachment. Though it is more likely to be about the things that are fulfilling for them. Work for example. It is likely that kids will continue to remain dependent on the text for social connection and social engagement. The real trick is to get them to do something else as well. Now there’s a thought?
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