Current Events in Psychology Internet Addiction: Addictive

Current Events in Psychology

Internet Addiction: Addictive Behavior, Transference or More?"

Michael Fenichel, Ph.D.

The article "Internet Addiction: Addictive Behavior, Transference or More?" written by Michael Fenichel, discusses the growing problem of internet addiction. Fenichel asserts that internet addiction is often "conceived of as a compulsive behavior, or craving for connectedness, or perhaps even a manifestation of transference or a reflection of object relations, or need-fulfillment." (Fenichel)

Fenichel also explains that the increase in the availability of computers and access to the Internet have perpetuated the problem.

Throughout the article, the author refers to the internet as a social reinforcer. Fenichel concedes that many Internet addicts thrive off of the social reinforcement that the Internet provides. (Fenichel)

This social reinforcement includes communicating through email and chat rooms. In addition, the article asserts that many addicts have hyperactive minds, which crave the high speed processing available on the Internet. (Fenichel)

Fenichel concludes that his own observation of internet addicts has led him to believe that these addicts possess pervasive and characteristic cognitive styles. (Fenichel)

These cognitive styles are characterized by multi-tasking with high-speed processing, lowered attention spans, a decrease in mid- and long-term goal directedness, unusual patterns of living, and questionable social relationships. (Fenichel) In many cases the Internet addict uses the computer as their main connection to the world around them and that the problem is a one-dimensional substance use disorder. Alas, Fenichel concedes that this topic will continue to be at the center of debate for years to come. (Fenichel)

The Psychology of Terrorism"

Clark R. McCauley

As a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, and the continuous threats of terrorism, psychologists have begun to explore "The Psychology of Terrorism."

In this article McCauley asserts that terrorism is most often the result of "ideology intense small group dynamics." (McCauley) The article explains that human beings have a need to belong to a group in which the members of that group share the same beliefs and interest -- this is a normal human need. The article asserts,

Most individuals belong to many groups -- family, co-workers, neighborhood, religion, country -- and each of these groups has some influence on the beliefs and behavior of the individual. These groups tend to have different values and the competition of values reduces the power of any one group over its members. But members of an underground terrorist group have put this group first in their lives, dropping or reducing every other connection." (McCauley)

The exclusion of all these other groups can leave an individual vulnerable to absorbing all of the beliefs of the small group. In time, the individual can become brainwashed and begin to behave irrationally.