Summary of Article on Facebook
Researchers
in Norway have developed a psychological scale to measure Facebook addiction it
is the first of its kind in the world.
It is hoped it will be useful in looking at problem behaviour to do with
Facebook.
Another
article suggested it might be more useful to look at addiction to social
networking rather than just addiction to Facebook. Although Facebook is also used for game
playing, gambling and film watching.
The new
scale is called the BFAS, short for the Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale. Dr. Cecilie Andraessen at the University of
Bergen (UiB), Norway, and colleagues asked 423 students to complete a
questionnaire of self-report scales of personality, sleep, sociability,
attitudes towards Facebook, and addictive tendencies.
Some of the
questions asked were how much time people think about and plan using Facebook,
how much they feel an urge to use Facebook, how much Facebook is used to forget
about personal problems. They were also
asked if they have tried to cut down on Facebook usage but are unable to do so,
are restless and uneasy when unable to access Facebook and if usage is having a
negative impact on job or studies.
They found
that neuroticism and extraversion related positively
to the scale and conscientiousness related negatively and that this addiction
is more common in younger people. People
that appeared to be anxious and insecure were more likely to be addicted as
they found this type of communication easier than face to face. Women are more likely to become addicted than men.
Dr.
Griffiths a professor of gambling studies in the UK commented that studies need
to be done on social networking rather than just Facebook which is only one way
of social networking. Dr. Griffiths
believes a clearer picture is needed as to what exactly on social networking
people are addicted to.
Dr.
Griffiths says that electronic media is changing at such a fast rate that Facebook
addiction just like internet addiction may be already obsolete. So a tool that could asses social networking
addiction rather than just Facebook addiction is now needed as the Bergen
Facebook Addiction Scale does not differentiate between playing Farmville or
messaging friends.
I think
there is addictions out there that need to be addressed and Facebook seems to
be the most popular social networking site even but developing something that
would measure all social networking would be more valuable. Who knows very soon something else could be
in vogue and Facebook could become a thing of the past.
The research seems to be inline with widely held beliefs, as to those more susceptible to Facebook addition. I think Dr. Griffiths is correct in his opinion that wider research based on general social networking needs to be carried out. Plus a breakdown of addiction to gaming and socialnetworking.
ReplyDeleteI think I agree with Dr.Griffins that research needs to be done on social networking in general rather than just Facebook so that we can get a better idea of what exactly it is that people are getting addicted to. Although, having said that, I think all people will be addicted to different aspects. One person might like the fact that you can chat to someone without being face to face whereas another person might like the gaming aspect.
ReplyDeleteI certainly agree with you on this article.
ReplyDeleteFacebook has become an addiction to the extend that most student will be on facebook even when classes is going on.Both adults and children are addicted to facebook.
But the question to ask is , is facebook going to be a thing in the past.Well i can wait to see what happens.