Sensation Seeking and Collegiate Vulnerability to Internet Dependence

Past research on Internet dependence has suggested that those who are Internet dependent spend more time on-line, use chat rooms more frequently, play MUDs more often, and web surf more than nondependent Internet users, but few studies have examined how personality characteristics interact with Internet dependence. This study investigates how Internet usage, preferences, attitudes toward the Internet, and Internet behaviors are correlated with sensation seeking. It was predicted that participants who were higher in Internet usage and Internet behaviors would be higher in sensation seeking. Results indicated that Internet dependents tended to spend more time online, use E-mail, surf the web, use chat rooms, use MUDs, and visit cybersex sites more often than nondependent Internet users. However, dependents scored significantly lower on sensation seeking, thrill and adventure seeking, and excitement seeking than nondependent Internet users. It was concluded that dependents interact with the internet using a motivation scheme dissimilar to the physical thrill and excitement that typically characterize sensation seeking archetypes.