Social Expectancy Increases Skin Conductance Response in Mobile Instant Messaging Users

• Published in: Psicothema Vol. 35; no. 4; pp. 414 - 422
• Main Authors: Ruiz-Ruano García, Ana M, Sánchez-Kuhn, Ana, Flores, Pilar, López Puga, Jorge
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Colegio Oficial de Psicólogos del Principado de Asturias 01.01.2023
• Subjects: Psychology; Psychology, Clinical; Psychology, Developmental; Psychology, Experimental; Psychology, Multidisciplinary; Recompensa social; Psicofisiología; Social reward; Desregulación emocional; Behavioural addiction; Emotional dysregulation; Uso problemático del móvil; Problematice smartphone use; Adicción conductual; Psychophysiology
• ISSN: 1886-144X; 1886-144X
• DOI: 10.7334/psicothema2022.362

BACKGROUNDSociety is witnessing two parallel phenomena: an increase in the number of mobile phone users worldwide and a growing concern about problematic smartphone use. Leading explanatory models suggest that social reward may explain some problematic smartphone use. Given that experimental evidence about the impact of social variables on problematic smartphone use is scarce, the impact of social expectancy on emotional arousal measured with skin conductance response (SCR) was analysed during instant messaging.METHODA sample of 86 undergraduate students were randomly assigned to two groups. Experimental group participants were instructed to send a social expectation-generating message to their more active contacts in their preferred social network. After experiencing a virtual reality distraction environment, participants’ SCR was measured when they were allowed to use the smartphone and when it was withdrawn.RESULTSParticipants in the experimental group showed a higher SCR response than the control group. Peaks analysis also showed that peak amplitude was higher in experimental participants when their smartphones were used and withdrawn. Experimental participants also showed a longer half recovery time when using the smartphone.CONCLUSIONSSocial expectancy is a critical variable in understanding problematic smartphone use and it should be considered in clinical contexts.