Individual differences in implicit learning abilities and impulsive behavior in the context of Internet addiction and Internet Gaming Disorder under the consideration of gender

摘要

The Internet has found its way into the daily life of many people worldwide, offering an easy way to gather information and to consume entertainment. With the growing number of Internet users, accounting for almost 50% of the world population at the moment (accessed on 07.09.16. http://www.internetlivestats.com/internet-users/), the number of reports on problematic Internet usage (PIU) is rising. In a representative study from Germany (N = 15,024 participants) Rumpf, Meyer, Kreuzer, John, and Merkeerk (2011) showed prevalences of 1.5% in Internet addiction, with younger users showing higher proportions (4% in the group of 14–16 year olds). First attempts to define and diagnose PIU1 have been made by Kimberly Young in the year 1998 (see also first case report from Young, 1996). Since then numerous tests and screening instruments have been developed (e.g. Young, 1998b; Young, 1998a; Tao et al., 2010), in order to be able to calculate prevalences in different populations and provide patients with effective treatment. However, there is still no existing nosological classification of PIU. The research on online gaming addiction seems to be one step ahead, as recently Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) was included in Section III of DSM-5, by this means encouraging further examinations before its consideration as a formal disorder (American Psychiatric Association). IGD is considered to be a specific form of PIU, which only overlaps in small parts with the generalized form of PIU described above (e.g. Davis, 2001; Montag et al., 2015).