Forum Assignment 2 - Due October 30, 2009 - 11:55 PM

[IsabellaCarrillo]

Isabella Carrillo
1173036


Technology has had such an increasing impact on the human race now more then ever before. Some impacts it has on humans are positive and others like video game or internet addiction are not. Video game and Internet addiction is just became a part of the process. Traits/ aspects that are exhibited by these users include continuos use of video game, withdrawals when away from object, and the addiction becomes one of the most important thing to the person. The impact of internet and video game addiction on society causes a backward set between humans and the technology we create. An addiction like this causes humans to rely on technology that is not necessarily good for us.

As this generation enters the workforce we realize that this technology and influence becomes a necessity for all work that is done. I would say that I would have to consider myself as a part of the generation that will enter said workforce. I personally have worked as an office assistant and can clearly see how dependent we have already become on technology. Very little is done nowadays without the use of technology, we rely on it daily as a means of communication, paperwork, and even as a database of our information. But none the less his technology has increased productivity for companies to communicate and run their businesses. Technology like this is only a positive effect as a part of our generation.

Internet and Video Game Addiction Disorder should not need to be included in DSM-V. Internet and video game addiction should be taken care of through another approach and has not been fully investigate to provide enough evidence to support the belief that it is an official disorder. The addiction to this technology makes it difficult for people but technology has become such an important part of the everyday life no matter what is done. Technology has engulfed all parts of society and it has just become a necessity for everything.

http://www.education.com/reference/arti ... addiction/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_game ... e_symptoms
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_a ... n_disorder
http://www.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc. ... 3830&cn=66

[atung1]

Tung, Anthony
1202681

People who are supposedly addicted to the Internet or video games are stereotypically portrayed as either the hermitic teenager holed up in his room playing video games or constantly on the Internet. On the flip side, new events connecting video games and violence have also recently come up within the last decade that may connect it to being a disorder instead of an addiction. The theory is that as video games become more real and violent, susceptible young minds will be influenced to copy what they see and therefore lead to violence. The theory has some grounds as older studies have come up with the “Tetris Effect” which follows as such: a group of people play Tetris for an extended amount of time and when they stop and return to reality, they see blocks from the game from ordinary objects. This has led critics to two different conclusions: the hermetic teenager is unhealthy in the way that he will not be exposed to any reality as he is stuck in his own world which is detrimental to a social life. Aversely, the teenager who plays a video game is so influenced by it at such a young age that he emulates it and can become a danger to himself and others.
As the technological generation enters the work force, there is both a negative and positive effect. The negative effect is that those who were too focused on their computer or video games without actually doing something productive during their schooling will end up with no applicable skills in the real work force aside from surfing the net and getting to level 50 in a week. Therefore, they must struggle more than others in order to successful in a field that does not match their strengths in the past. However, those who learn computer applications in conjunction with the Internet have an advantage to knowing how a network can boost efficiency and lead to an increase in productivity; making technology a double edged sword, one that can lead to success or failure.
Internet and video game addiction disorder should not be included in the updated DSM-V because going on the Internet and playing video games is essentially a very engaging hobby that some people have. For example, a board game, Warhammer, can cost up to five thousand dollars for a hundred pieces of plastic, or car collectors, who have 5 cars for themselves simply because they like it. Those kind of people do not have their own classification simply because there are not that many of them, but the Internet have been popularized so they face this kind of critique. Also, there is no science behind “technology addiction” because there is no substance, like nicotine that makes people want more. Society simply must learn self control in order to have healthy doses of computer or video game in order to keep a balanced life.

Sources: My own experience and knowledge of the subject

[nbernavage]

Nick Bernavage
ID #1137020

People who constantly use or abuse the internet and video games start to feel repercussions in other areas of their life. They will start to feel a lack of a social life, Inability to communicant outside of a video game. Placing more importance of things inside the game world than the real one. These traits will start to pop up as their addiction gets worse:
Loss of time: along the same lines, a person may sit down at his computer, again with the intent to spend only a few minutes, but completely lose track of time and suddenly find that several hours have passed. Negative Impact on Other Areas of Life: because the person spends so much time on the computer or video game console, other areas of life are neglected. He may grow distant from friends and family who had previously been close. Hiding from negative or uncomfortable feelings or situations: some people become addicted to gaming because they use it to self-medicate. They will start to have mixed feelings: as with any addiction, use of the "substance" – in this case, the video game – initially causes euphoric feelings, but that euphoria is quickly followed by guilt. So video game and internet addiction closely mirrors other substance addictions, however for the most part it doesn't have the negative effects like drugs do on society (namely crime) and are more on the individual.

Speaking from personal experiences, are for the effects on work ethics, people are always browsing the internet at work or during lecture. It seems that the hard work ethic of the past is replaced by a generation that is more ADD than the MTV generation. Hours of entertainment is only a click away with internet access and there are ways to get around sites that are blocked by the employer. With Cellphones and ipod touch, people are always able to bring their own personal business into the workplace. People in this generation will always be used to slack off time as long as there is access to the internet or a cellphone.

While video game addiction is a serious addiction, it is a psychological addiction and not a physical addiction. Being addicted to video game does have serious real life consequences, you can loose you job, your family and basically your life. Some people are so addicted that it would benefit from a 90 day program or group therapy support, some people would require an entire change in lifestyle to get over their video game addiction. So there are people who could benefit from the same types of programs that help other forms of addiction. However, video game addiction is a little different and I don't think it should be classified as an addictive disorder. There are behavioral addictions, like gambling, that are not physical, but also serious addictions to overcome. Video game addiction is a relatively light addiction and it may be classified as behavioral, but is only from overuse of one thing. It only require simple self control of the individual to not overuse. If anyone spends too much time on one thing it will cut into their life, to simply realizing overuse and having discipline and a little self control is all that is really needed unlike the other more serious addictions. In short video addiction is not as bad as the other ones because it's much easier to quit and should not be classified as an official Addiction Disorder.

Sources:
http://www.video-game-addiction.org/sym ... teens.html
http://www.video-game-addiction.net/
http://edugamesblog.wordpress.com/2009/ ... r-fiction/

[avmckenz13]

Allison McKenzie
W1161054

1. What aspects / traits are exhibited by constant internet or video game users? What impact does this have on society?

Constant use of the Internet or immersive video games can result in obsessive behavior and troubling symptoms. Issues of concern include:
1. Preoccupation with the activity while away from it
2. Blowing off responsibilities in order to engage in an activity or advance in levels in a game
3. Deceiving other in order to pursue the activity
4. Elevated negative feelings when away from the activity
5. Risking negative consequences to continue the activity
6. Trying to escape real world problems
7. Needing to spend more and more time at the activity to gain the same satisfaction
There is a tremendous impact on productivity, which adversely affects society. A student may take five year to graduate rather than four, increasing the cost of their education. This places a higher burden on their family, the government and themselves into the future. Increased debt has a dampening effect on economic activity, which when widespread causes recessions. Another example is a worker who loses their job due to poor performance related to a lack of sleep. That worker advances more slowly and takes longer to become a senior staff member due to interruptions to on the job training.
Computer and Cyberspace Addiction by John Suler
http://www-usr.rider.edu/~suler/psycyber/cybaddict.html

2. As this generation enters the workforce, what (if any) effect will this technology and influence have on work ethics, productivity, responsibility, etc?

As mentioned in the first paragraph there is a negative effect on jobs performance due to sleeplessness on the part of employees. A load of negative effects can be presented because of this kind of addiction. One can become isolated and alone, forgetting how to psychically network with friends which could ultimately lead to depression. Work ethics may become less strict due to depressed employees which would create less pressure in the work place to be successful. This in turn could slow down the entire efficiency of the company. These serious consequences seem more serious in an adult rather than a child but, once a child gets a hold of this addiction it has the possibility to change the course of his/her life. Changes in the child’s behavior can severly effect his/her interaction and learning with others. These changes can even be brought about from a child’s own decision, such as a kid suddenly quitting little league after years of playing. They may not be presented with the wide range of opportunities another child has.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/07/ ... 3956.shtml

3. Should Internet (and Video Game) Addiction Disorder be included in the updated DSM-V (due to be released in 2012)? Why or why not?

Internet and video game addiction should most definitely be included in the DSM-V released in 2012. It has been over 10 years since the Dot-Com boom, which brought an abundance amount of new and compelling technologies and experiences. Many of these are of a highly addicting nature, providing endless activities and rewards. Although society does not look down upon sufferers of these computer related addictions in the same way as with a drug addiction, they have very similar and serious consequences. Both addict suffer from isolation, a personal feeling of loss of control, mental preoccupation with the activity, personal unreliability, sacrificing overly in terms of time and money, hurting loved one’s one in order to engage in computer time or drug usage. It is important to include new addictions in the updated DSM-V as younger generations adapt their mental disorders to available stimuli. If not included, treatment could lapse for these persons and mental health would be on the decline for the population as a whole.
Should DSM-V Designate “Internet Addiction” a Mental Disorder?
Ronald Pies, MD
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2719452/

[qfeng]

Qini Feng
W1167845

Internet and video game addition is increasing in the United States. People that are addicted to internet using and video game playing often spend most of their time on it. In their daily life, video game is all that matters to them, and that’s all they care about. Because they are addicted to internet and video games, all the things that they do will involve with internet and video games. For example, they discuss the things that they do on the internet with their friends, and that is the only thing that they are really interested in. This will impact our society because if everyone got addicted to internet or video games, then our society will eventually end up with people that only care about internet and video games. Also, it will affect our social abilities because people are only confortable in communicating in front of the computer instead of talking to others face to face.

Video game and internet addictions are having a big influence on work ethics, productivity, responsibility, etc. Responsibility is one that will get influence the most because video gamers would only have responsibility in playing games because all they care about is video games. For example, when someone is addicted to playing video games, they do not care what others think about them because they don’t have the responsibility to make a better living. Same for internet adductors, they only care so much about using the internet. Video games and internet will influence work ethics because a person that is addicted to video games and internet often does not work. People that are deeply addicted to internet or playing video games will think that internet and video games is their job, so at the end they won’t earn any money for living. Therefore, the technology will have a big influence on work ethics, productivity, responsibility, etc.

I think that the Internet and Video Game addiction disorders should be included in the updated DSM-V because it is a serious problem. In the United States, many people are addicted to Video Games and Internet using. Due to this addition, they often stay home and not do anything. All they think about is how they could pass that 4th level in that video game that they were playing or how they could beat the score. As many people realized, those who are addicted to video games often sleep late or barely have any sleep at all because they are all into the video game. Also, they could stay playing with same video game for hours and hours, without eating. Same for those who are addicted to internet using because they could spend all day long on the internet without leaving the house. Besides going to the bathroom and eating, they could even stay sitting for the whole time while they are on the internet. Internet and Video Game adductors might have insomnias, therefore, they should therapy and get help from those professionals to help bring the addition away from them.


http://www.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc. ... 3830&cn=66
http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/feat ... fun?page=2
http://www.myaddiction.com/video-game-addiction.html

[yluo]

Yanjuan Luo
W1156878

What aspects / traits are exhibited by constant internet or video game users? What impact does this have on society?
In today's technical world, the Internet takes a big part of people's lives.People are not only use computer beyond
work but also use computer as a source of fun and entertainment. However,internet/ video game addiction has becomes a
serious problem now.A balance time maner can actually help people reduce their stresses; but once people get addicted on
internet or video game,people star spend a lot of time on playing games, surfing the net, visiting chat rooms, instant messaging,facebooking, and reading emails.Time away from the computer or game causes constant internet or video game users feelmoodiness or withdrawal.Since they spend most of the life time on computering, most of them are become sleepless, back,neck aches, dry eyes, headaches, and failure to eat regularly.The impacts this have on societya are that people choose to spend time on computer or video game rather than making relationship with friends, family, work and school. They want to live in their own fantasy world with the Internet.

2. As this generation enters the workforce, what (if any) effect will this technology and influence have on work ethics,
productivity, responsibility, etc?
As this generation enters the workfocrce, the effect this technology and influence will make people less efficient
on work because people cannot focous on their work without getting enough of sleep.Constant internet or video game users will have lower productivity. People will easily falling asleep during working and may losing their jobs because of the inefficiency work. As work ethics, those video game addictors feel careless about their jobs, they just want to complete their work without caring thequality of their work.

3. Should Internet (and Video Game) Addiction Disorder be included in the updated DSM-V (due to be released in 2012)? Why or why not?
Internet(and Video Game)Addiction Disorder should be included in the updated DSM-V because it has becomes a serious problem which impacting people's health and work productivity in today's society. People who addicted on Internet or video game feels hard to control their thinking. Sine they spend so much time on playing games they displace work, school, friends, and even family. This can be consider as impulse control disorder anf psychological addictions.People use the Internet or play video game to reduce their stresses is a good thing; but once it makes impacts to our lives such as health and working, people should think about it seriously.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_game_addiction
http://www.mediafamily.org/facts/facts_ ... tion.shtml

[DanielGunny]

Daniel Gunny
W1150313

The debate over whether or not video game addiction should be treated as a mental disease is understandably controversial, however, I’m strongly in favor of adding it to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. From personal experience, I’ve found that people who are clearly addicted to video games have a hard time interacting with society. They seem to have a hard time distinguishing between fantasy and reality; consequently, attempts to converse with others can be frustrating for them. Relationships between the addict and others are often strained because they can become too involved with games than make time for real people. Not only does the gaming take a toll on their personal lives, it has a tendency to negatively impact their health as well. They tend to either be malnutrition because they don’t want to leave the game or they tend to gain a noticeable amount of weight due to the lack of exercise and stereotypically poor diet. All in all, they tend to be more short-tempered, often getting overly emotional over slight disturbances.

Unfortunately, all of this can strongly negatively impact productivity and the overall work environment. Many people tend to play games while their boss isn’t looking or will actually call in sick in order to continue playing. My cousin, clearly addicted to video games, can’t interact with any of his co-workers because instead of being able to have a normal conversation, he can only talk about things related to video games. Consequently, people have a hard time connecting with him. On the whole, video game addiction likely negatively impacts the overall workplace. The only positive associated with video game addiction is the possibility could be used essentially for financial gain, such as people selling online accounts after working on them. However, this small positive hardly outweighs the negatives.

I think that video game addiction should be included in the 2012 version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Although the argument exists stating that video game addiction is simply escapism, which is considered a mental diversion, not a disease, video game addiction’s symptoms match some of those specified as indicating mental disease as defined by the manual. More specifically, I think it falls under both Axis II and Axis IV. Axis II includes underlying personality conditions, and an addiction that causes someone’s personality to be unable to interact with others I feel should fall under this category. Axis IV includes “psychological and environmental factors contributing to the disorder” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diagnostic ... gorization). Pointing out that the addiction is in fact a psychological factor should be enough to include this. In conclusion, video game addiction should be considered part of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diagnostic ... gorization
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_game_addiction
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escapism

[MichaelMahaffey]

Michael Mahaffey
(ID#: W1202334 )

I agree with what the general consensus here seems to be, that internet/vdeo game addiction is real and detrimental to an individual.

1. Video game addiction is not properly recognized as a real addiction yet, because of the lack of scientific research done on the subject. However, One could say for certain that video-game overuse is a major problem. A list of problems can occur from video game 'addiction' including: social isolation, poor social skills, and erratic mood swings to neglect of responsibilities such as health, regular sleeping, hygiene, financial commitments, and work and study responsibilities. In the online community popular MMORPGs are referred back to drugs in order to illustrate their potential addictiveness, such as 'World of Warcrack' and 'Evercrack'. Real life horror stories also illustrate the realness of the problem such as this case of a boy addicted to World of Warcraft: ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8hfK3RQs2g ). Too society, this effect is twofold. On one hand the companies, like Blizzard Entertainment profiting off their addiction are doing well and continue to produce quality products to the rest of us. And there is now a small section of society, who spends their time in doors, being unproductive, and not contributing anything to society.

2. There is no real evidence of internet/videogame addiction being a real problem. One could argue that the workforce is already full of gamers, and internet users. It is only in stereotypes that young people solely play videogames. However, when Generation X is fully immersed into the workforce, the effect will presumably be more positive then negative. Rather then old dad who couldn't set up the VCR working behind the computer, it will be the technologically adept son. Today's young people grew up around technology and use it well, and will be the ones to innovate the technology, even if they play some games on the side.

3. I do think that 'videogame addiction' should be placed in the DSM-V. It is already being considered for a spot, and rightfully so. I it should be rephrased though. Videogame Addiction' in that sense, doesn't give the proper connotation that the reality portrays. The reality is more of a dependence, for social interaction, or escape. It is not a physical addiction, but a mental one. I myself spent one summer locked in my room playing World of Warcraft day and night, but when school started I was able to drop it wit a click of a mouse, but one cannot do this with Heroin. All a person needs to solve this hyperbolic 'addiction' is a little self-control .

Sources: http://www.gamespot.com/features/620730 ... ure;header
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 02350.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diagnostic ... _Disorders
http://arstechnica.com/old/content/2006/05/6795.ars

[jijli]

Li, Jin Yao Jennifer
1204348

Internet/video game addiction should be included in the DSM so that those in addicted can get the help they need. Studies show that addicts to internet/video games show many signs of those that are addicted to gambling and spend much of their time playing games to feel the "high". Many also skip out on academic assignments and household chores. Studies also show that those that play Internet/video games obsessively are twice as likely to be diagnosed with ADD/ADHD, along with physical pains and aches. Impacts on societies are the violent effects the games cause, as evidence shows that many school shooters are gamers.

This technology will decrease the productivity of this generation when they enter the workforce, where addictive games are more likely to most of their time gaming. Sometimes going to the extent of installing the game at work to play, even when they can get fired if caught. Their responsibilities will be forgotten when the "high" they feel from gaming overpowers their sense of responsibility. Work ethics are also at danger when video games cause many cases of violent outbreaks due to the over exposure of aggression needed to win the games played.

The updated DSM-V should include Internet/video game addiction because of the isolation these gamers cause to their families and friends. Many of the gamers are unable to function normally in society without due to their lack of responsibility from over playing where they may not know how to do simple tasks. These gamers will have health issues because of lack of hygiene and regular eating habits. The young generation and upcoming ones should be helped and including this disorder will make getting help easier.

Sources:
http://www.video-game-addiction.org/vid ... pected.htm
http://www.video-game-addiction.org/violence.html

[IanLee1521]

Jason Lasar- W1215626

-1. Some aspects/ traits that are exhibited by constant internet or video game users can be that the user can very reserved around other people, usually do not have good social skills, and can also have very bad health because they do not eat the best food, do not exercise and for the most part are very “into” their games, and the internet.

-The impact such behavior can have on society is in my opinion can be negative, especially if there are large numbers of such players, and users of the Internet.

-2. When this generation enters the workforce some effects that this will have on the ethics, productivity, and responsibility could be 100% negative. I think that if people are always and solely concerned of progressing in such games or always being on the Internet, they will be very lazy and non-productive. They also could not take things seriously because they could think it’s a game or not reality.

-3. In my opinion internet and video game addiction disorder could be included in the updated DSM because there is a big problem and its continuing to grow, with such games as WOW (world of warcraft) and COD (call of duty) there are many people who play these games religiously. Because of the growing popularity in such games, and the sights like facebook.com, myspace, and many more that are springing up every day. We have people who are becoming addicted to their friend lists, and becoming obsessed with getting higher scores and moving up in the ranks.

Even if we make this an actual addiction I don’t think it will help anything, we need to have parents set stricter rules on computer usage and and set more outside activities for this children so we do not have these problems.

[IanLee1521]

Carson Sprock, 1121913

The the proliferation of the internet and computer technology has had an major impact on society, it was only a matter of time before segments of the population would begin to abuse these technologies.

1. The effect of chronic video game or internet use can have a have many harmful psychological effects and manifests itself in different forms in different people. Children that play video games for many hours become removed from normal socialization which has the effect of stunting their social development. There have even been cases of children becoming depressed after their parents took away their video games. Chronic use also affects the work life and relationships of older users. Some specialist have classified these behaviors as a form of addiction. The internet has had a huge impact society, positive and negative. This kind of behavior is one of the more serious of the negative aspects of the technology.

2. As this generation is fluent in internet and technology use, and it has the potential to make for an extremely productive workforce, but when abused it can effect the productivity of workers. Instant communication and data transfer over the internet has become essential for the world economy. Computer technology has such a vast array of applications, and some people become information addicts, whether it be video games or constant internet surfing and this can cause people to neglect important parts of their lives.

3. I believe that Internet (and Video Game) Addiction Disorder should be included in the updated DSM-V. As with all addictions, computer addiction stems from a desire to escape the real world. People who feel the need for this type escapism likely have hidden psychological problems which manifest themselves as some form of addiction, whether it be video games, gambling or alcohol. There are also people who have problems with compulsive behavior. Either way, this behavior has harmful and people should seek help of counseling and the disorder should be studied further.