Summary: Cellphone Addiction Observational Study

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Natalia Corporan Crespo Prof. Higgins Research Methods in Psychology November 10, 2014 Cellphone Addiction Observational Study: Introduction Technology has opened doors for communication. It has allowed communication across barriers created by distance. Cell phones are devices that are widely used in terms of communications in the digital era. However over the years cellphone have increased their functionality. Technological convergence has allowed cellphones to become a tool for completing actions beyond calling while on the move. This has led people to see cellphones as vital rather than a luxury. A survey showed that overvalue their cellphones; 25% of the subjects claimed to be willing to lose their wallets as opposed to losing their …show more content…

A., Shackleford, C., Dieckmann, N., & Slovic, P. (2013). This study explores the relationship between cell phones and driving. These two variables have been attributed to leading to deaths and injuries (Weller, J. A., Shackleford, C., Dieckmann, N., & Slovic, P. 2013). However previous studies focus on cell phone use as a factor. On the other hand, this study introduces the factor of attachment to cell phones. Based on the theory that people can develop attachment to object they own ( Belk, 1988; Lehman, Arnold, & Reeves, 1995), this study suggests that cell phone users can develop separation anxiety towards their cell phones, egging them to keep them in proximity. This study aimed to find the following relationships: negative correlation between cell phone attachment and awareness of driving risks, positive correlation with cell phone use while driving and distraction. Moreover, the study aimed to assess relationships considering age. Drivers of the ages of 17 through 28 years were randomly sampled through email. The sample consisted of 1,006 subjects, majorly college students (44%) and Caucasian (78.1%). Limitations of this study include low response rate (4.5%) and the use of a reward to attract subjects, and uncertainty of informed consent as is expected from sampling through the internet. A survey measured driving habits, assessing awareness of the risks of cell phone use while driving, as well as cell phone attachment and attitudes towards cell phone use while driving. As hypothesized, the study showed the following correlations regarding attachment: negative relationship with risk awareness (-.17), negative correlations in cell phone use (-.40) and texting (-.39), and age (-16). The study show did not show a significant correlation between age and risk perceptions, as it was predicted. Taking this information into consideration, cell phone use can become problematic for oneself

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