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Caught in the Web? Addictive behavior in cyberspace and the role of goal-orientation

Barnes, Stuart J., Pressey, Andrew D. (2014) Caught in the Web? Addictive behavior in cyberspace and the role of goal-orientation. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 86 (July). pp. 93-109. ISSN 0040-1625. (doi:10.1016/j.techfore.2013.08.024) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:43146)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2013.08.024

Abstract

New online 3-D virtual worlds are complex and differ significantly from each other. In this study we examine whether the type of virtual world is likely to make a difference on how addictive behavior develops and its subsequent outcomes. We examine the effect of goal-orientation on the degree to which cognitive absorption within the virtual world results in addiction and in the impact of addiction on continuance and purchasing intentions. Using surveys conducted in World of Warcraft (goal-oriented) and Second Life (experience-oriented) virtual worlds and analysis via ANOVA, we find that while cognitive absorption contributes to the development of addiction, which subsequently leads to increased continuance and spending intentions in goal-oriented virtual worlds, none of these relationships hold in the case of the experience-oriented world. Goal-oriented virtual worlds provide a problematic conduit for addictive behavior and marketing manipulation and the authors believe that they would benefit from further attention by policy-makers. Experience-oriented virtual worlds do not appear to provide the same dangers and would appear to be more healthy avenues for marketing-consumer engagement.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1016/j.techfore.2013.08.024
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
H Social Sciences > HF Commerce > HF5415 Marketing
T Technology > T Technology (General)
Divisions: Divisions > Kent Business School - Division > Kent Business School (do not use)
Depositing User: Stuart Barnes
Date Deposited: 26 Sep 2014 08:10 UTC
Last Modified: 17 Aug 2022 10:57 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/43146 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Barnes, Stuart J..

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