Checking your Smartphone Often May be a Sign of Impulsiveness

Psychologists Henry Wilmer and Jason Chein from United States' Temple University carried out a new study to understand the impact of smartphone and its use heavy use on people. The study is aimed towards analyzing why some people are more addicted to their smartphones while others aren't.

For the purpose of study, researchers involved 91 undergrad students and gave them questionnaires as well as cognitive tests. They specified the amount of time they spent on their smartphones to access social media or to post status updates. Students were also evaluated on their tendency to delay gratification for larger rewards at a later date. The hypothetical questions asked students to choose between smaller sum of money now or big amount later. The result findings published in Psychonomic Bulletin and Review revealed that people who check their phones more often were less likely to delay gratification.

"Mobile technology habits, such as frequent checking, seem to be driven most strongly by uncontrolled impulses and not by the desire to pursue rewards," said Wilmer. The study findings prove that the increased use of mobile devices is affecting impulse control and also degrading the value of delayed rewards.

"The findings provide important insights regarding the individual difference factors that relate to technology engagement," Chein said. "These findings are consistent with the common perception that frequent smartphone use goes hand in hand with impatience and impulsivity," he added.

As the access to the world has increased with these mobile devices, our growing dependence on the technology will certainly have a downside effect, warned Dr. Chein through his study. This is perhaps the right time to give yourself a little digital detox and take note of a deeper problem.