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Cited by 42Impact of Technology on AdolescentsGambling Behavior and TreatmentsSexuality, Behavior, and Technology

Deficits in executive functions but not in decision making under risk in individuals with problematic social-network use

Open access
Müller, Silke M., Wegmann, Elisa, García Arias, María, Bernabéu Brotóns, Elena, Marchena Giráldez, Carlos, Brand, Matthias·2021·Comprehensive Psychiatry
DOI 10.1016/j.comppsych.2021.152228
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: The tendency to strive for immediate gratification by neglecting potential negative long-term outcomes characterizes addictive behaviors, such as substance use or gaming disorder. Problematic social-network use is currently discussed as another potential addictive behavior, which is considered to result from an imbalance between affective and cognitive processes, indicated by traits such as increased impulsivity and/or decreased executive functions and decision-making abilities. METHODS: This study investigates the respective functions in social-network users by use of the Cards and Lottery Task (CLT) - a decision-making task under risk conditions in which options contain conflicting immediate and long-term outcomes at the same time. A sample of German and Spanish participants (N = 290) performed the CLT as well as the Modified Card Sorting Test (MCST), Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS), the short Internet Addiction Test specified for social-networking (sIAT-SNS), and screeners on other potentially problematic behaviors. RESULTS: Comparing extreme groups based on sIAT-SNS scores (1SD above/below mean), individuals with problematic social-network use (n = 56), as compared to those with non-problematic social-network use (n = 50), showed increased attentional impulsivity and reduced executive functions. No differences were observed in decision-making performance. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that problematic social-network use is related to attentional rather than general decision-making deficits. Furthermore, problematic social-network use is likely to co-occur with other problematic Internet-use behaviors, particularly gaming or shopping.

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  • The Iowa Gambling Task is less relevant to impulsivity and more relevant to sensitivity to reward and personal patterns of decision-making under uncertain risk.

    “The literature suggests that the Iowa Gambling Task is less relevant to impulsivity and more relevant to sensitivity to reward and personal patterns of decision-making under uncertain risk (Hanson et al., 2008; Müller et al., 2021).”

    From Problematic social media use and inhibitory control among post-secondary students (2025) · cites this paper as Müller et al., 2021

    The Introduction identifies the Iowa Gambling Task as a measure of decision-making under ambiguous risk, where the risks of potential consequences are initially unknown. It does not say the task is less relevant to impulsivity, or more relevant to reward sensitivity or personal decision-making patterns. Page numbers are unavailable in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.82)

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  • There are inconsistent findings on impulsivity, executive functions, and decision-making in problematic social-network use.

    “Impulsivity, executive functions, and decision-making are key features of addictive behaviors, yet research on these functions in problematic social-network use is rare, and there are inconsistent findings ( 25 ).”

    From Neurocognitive function among individuals with problematic social media use (2026) · cites this paper as [25]

  • Research on impulsivity, executive functions, and decision-making in problematic social-network use is rare.

    “Impulsivity, executive functions, and decision-making are key features of addictive behaviors, yet research on these functions in problematic social-network use is rare, and there are inconsistent findings ( 25 ).”

    From Neurocognitive function among individuals with problematic social media use (2026) · cites this paper as [25]

  • Evidence indicated attentional impulsivity in individuals with excessive social media use.

    “Furthermore, evidence indicated attentional impulsivity in individuals with excessive social media use ( 25 ).”

    From Neurocognitive function among individuals with problematic social media use (2026) · cites this paper as [25]

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Authors
Müller, S. M., Wegmann, E., García Arias, M., Bernabéu Brotóns, E., Marchena Giráldez, C., & Brand, M.
Affiliations
  • Erwin L. Hahn Institute for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (DE)
  • University of Duisburg-Essen (DE)
Corresponding author
Brand, Matthias
ORCID
Venue
Comprehensive Psychiatry
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2021-04
Volume
106
Pages
152228
ISSN
0010-440X (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.comppsych.2021.152228
OpenAlex
W3127741158
Cited by
42
References
79
Citations by year
2026: 10 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 2
FWCI
8.31
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Comprehensive Psychiatry (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Deposito Digital UFV (Francisco de Vitoria University) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Impact of Technology on Adolescents
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Gambling Behavior and Treatments
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology
Keywords
executive function, decision making under risk, attentional impulsivity, internet addiction, Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, problematic internet use, gaming disorder, compulsive buying
MeSH terms
Decision Making, Humans, Impulsive Behavior, Behavior, Addictive, Substance-Related Disorders, Internet, Executive Function

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