Blog 10: The Internet and Social Cognition, Part 4/4 – Synthesis

Over the past couple weeks I have discussed the positive and negative implications of the internet on social interactions and cognition. If you want some background, here is a link to my blog about positive internet usage: https://reallypsyched.wordpress.com/2017/03/16/blog-8-the-internet-and-social-cognition-part-24-positive-socialcognitive-implications/

Here is a link to my blog about negative internet use: https://reallypsyched.wordpress.com/2017/03/23/blog-9-the-internet-and-social-cognition-part-34-negative-socialcognitive-implications/

During the exploration on my topic about the internet and social cognition one theme became clear. Individuals use the internet differently. The theme may be obvious, but maybe more intriguing is the question of why. I am interesting in psychology and I want to understand why people use the internet differently. Two social cognitive determinants of internet use are personality and attachment.

The Big 5 model is a popular theory in relation to personality. The five attributes of personality are: Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism. I read an article, Landers & Lounsbury (2006), that discusses the Big 5 model and narrow personality traits. The three narrow personality traits discussed in the article include: Optimism, Tough-Mindedness, and Work Drive. Landers & Lounsbury (2006) describe tough-mindedness as having the ability to understand information and make choices based on evidence and reason rather than emotions. The results showed that if an individual is more introverted, less agreeable, and less conscientious they are more likely to engage in higher levels of internet usage. Additionally, if an individual is more pessimistic, tender-minded, and disinclined to work hard academically they are more likely to use the internet frequently. If an individual has negative interpersonal interactions then they could turn to the internet as a distraction or for supplementary social interaction. Even if an individual argues that they are introverted or that they hate people, I am inclined to strongly disagree. From an evolutionary perspective, human beings are social animals because being in groups allowed us to survive more effectively. From a psychological perspective, human beings require social connections to have positive physical and mental health outcomes. Overall, the contradiction of the “I hate people” person turning to the internet could be related to cognitive dissonance.

Attachment theory is widely discussed in psychology in relation to interpersonal relationships and child development. Pietromonaco, Uchino & Dunkel (2013) mention that the theory focuses on individual attachments to important figures, usually parents (children) or spouses (adults). The attachment figure is often used to help regulated behaviour in the individual by revealing emotional distress. In intimate relationships with a spouse, positive relationships include supporting each other in times of distress or emotional need. Three primary attachment styles are discussed: Attachment avoidance, Attachment anxiety and Attachment security. As a refresher, avoidance refers to behaviours that are often overly self-relent in the response to a threat. Attention is often turned away from the threat to minimize activation and distress of the individual. Attachment anxiety refers to the hyperactivity of the individual in the response to a threat. The individual often shows an increase in distress and displays of reassurance behaviours. Attachment security refers to an individual with low anxiety and low avoidance. An individual will often display comfort and trust towards their partner if they have attachment security. Pietromonaco et a. (2013) found that insecure attachment (anxiety, avoidance, or both) predicts health risks such as greater drug use, poorer body image, risky sexual behaviour, greater alcohol use, poorer diet and less exercise in both adolescents and young adults. Additionally, these results could be applied to internet use. Firstly, the internet could be used as the attachment figure for some individuals. When faced with a threat some individuals can turn to the internet to attempt to regulate their emotions. This could help explain why when students become stressed they are more likely to binge watch Netflix rather than complete school work. Am I projecting? Is Netflix my attachment figure? Maybe.

A second implication to internet use is that an individuals attachment style could dictate the way they use the internet. If an individual has insecure attachments with their interpersonal relationships then they could be more likely to use the internet negatively. In the case of attachment anxiety, an individual may post more self-seeking and self-verification online material to gain regulation from others. People who post about personal situations to gain an online audience could be considered to have an anxious attachment style. In the case of attachment avoidance, an individual may use the internet as an escape or distraction in an attempt to regulate their emotions. People who excessively watch porn or game could be considered to have an avoidant attachment style. In the case of attachment security, an individual may be more likely to use the internet positively. People who use the internet as a tool or for positive social engagement may be considered to have a secure attachment style. Odacı & Çıkrıkçı (2014) examined attachment style and negative internet use. The findings support that individuals with insecure attachment styles are more likely to engage in negative internet use. Another article, Şenormancı, Şenormancı, Güçlü & Konkan (2014) examined patients with internet addiction. The results indicated that individuals with internet addiction also showed anxious attachment style.

Conclusion

Individuals use the internet in positive and negative ways. After exploring the topic over the past few weeks the two indicators of internet use are based on personality and attachment. In relation to social cognition, these two aspects are indicators of cognitive application and social engagement online. Anti-social personality traits and insecure attachment styles are linked with negative internet use. Pro-social personality traits and secure attachment style are associated with positive internet use.

References

Landers, R. N., & Lounsbury, J. W. (2006). An investigation of Big Five and narrow personality traits in relation to Internet usage. Computers in Human Behavior, 22, 283-293.

Odacı, H., & Çıkrıkçı, Ö. (2014). Problematic internet use in terms of gender, attachment styles and subjective well-being in university students. Computers in Human Behavior, 32, 61-66.

Pietromonaco, P. R., Uchino, B., & Dunkel Schetter, C. (2013). Close relationship processes and health: implications of attachment theory for health and disease. Health Psychology, 32, 499.

Şenormancı, Ö., Şenormancı, G., Güçlü, O., & Konkan, R. (2014). Attachment and family functioning in patients with internet addiction. General hospital psychiatry, 36, 203-207.