Technology use

Technology use is an increasingly important aspect of modern life. People today spend significant portions of their day online for work, socializing, communication, and recreation.
We are figuring out how behavioral science can promote digital wellbeing and healthy behavior in these spheres.

RECENT RESEARCH

Internet Consequences Questionnaire: A Pilot Study

This brief report introduces the preliminary Internet Consequences Questionnaire (ICQ-P) as a  functional assessment that quantifies the self-reported reinforcing value of internet use and parses value derived from conditioned tangible reinforcement, attention, sensory reinforcement, escape from demands, social avoidance, and covert avoidance.

Kyonka, Naidu, Torres, & Garcia 2024

OPEN ACCESS PUBLICATION

Behavioral Functions Associated With Wanting to Reduce Internet Use

This registered report compared internet use by people who wanted to reduce the amount of time they spend on the internet with internet use by people who did not.

Respondents completed a self-report measure of problematic internet use, the Young Diagnostic Questionnaire (YDQ), and an indirect functional assessment of behavioral factors that motivate internet use, the Preliminary Internet Consequences Questionnaire (ICQ-P).

People who reported wanting to reduce internet use were more likely to have high YDQ scores than people who did not. They also had higher total ICQ-P scores and endorsed ICQ-P items related to negative reinforcement more than people who did not want to reduce their internet use. Group differences support the theory that excessive unwanted internet use is a problem behavior maintained by negative reinforcement.

Kyonka, Garcia, Torres, & Naidu 2023

PUBLICATION

A Behavior Analytic Perspective on Treatment of Problem Gaming and Problem Social Media Use

Problem gaming and problem social media use are emerging areas of study that present opportunities for research and practice.

Behavior analysts can help to clarify the mechanisms involved, and to differentiate problematic from healthy use.
Hassan & Kyonka, 2021

Behavioral Psychology of Cell Phone Use

Our article, "A Behavior Analytic Perspective on Treatment of Problem Gaming and Problem Social Media Use" is part of a special section and topical collection in The Psychological Record about the behavioral psychology of cell phone use.

Introduction

Read Dr. Kyonka's introduction to the special section.

Issue

The special section is published in the June, 2021 issue of The Psychological Record.

Topical Collection

A list of all the articles in the topical collection.
Photos from Rosmarie Voegtli, shixart1985