Attentional bias in excessive massively multiplayer online role-playing gamers using a modified Stroop task

摘要

There is considerable dispute regarding the nature of excessive or problematic Internet-related behaviour and whether it constitutes a clinical addiction. Classification of excessive gaming is hindered by a lack of experimental research investigating behavioural responses from gamers and comparing these patterns to those found in established addictions. We investigated whether an attentional bias for gaming-related words existed for addicted Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Gamers (MMORPGers) identified using the Addiction-Engagement Questionnaire.rnForty frequent mmorpgers (15 female) and 19 non-mmorpgers (eight female) completed a computerised modified stroop task comprised of game-related; negative and neutral word lists; addiction-engagement questionnaire; depression; anxiety and stress scale 21; gaming-related variables. The results indicated that addicted mmorpgers had significantly longer reaction times to negative and mmorpg words compared to neutral words; whereas highly engaged and non-mmorpg participants showed no such bias. The presence of an attentional bias in addicted mmorpgers is comparable with research investigating this behavioural response in established addictions.