What was once a way to decompress or blow off steam has morphed into pattern of behavior that’s downright addictive. Conceivable or no? https://t.co/ukTTekU7i0
— Cleveland Clinic (@ClevelandClinic) November 27, 2019
The addiction involved with video games isn’t the same as with alcohol or drug use, Dr. Bea says, in which the brain receives reinforcement every single time.
“In gambling and gaming addictions, the reward occurs on-and-off and it’s unpredictable,” he explains. “This keeps players actively seeking the good feeling that’s produced in the brain when they reach a new goal or successfully complete an objective.”
Video game developers understand a great deal about what’s called “schedules of reinforcement.” Many games, especially massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs), are designed to make players repeat behaviors in the quest of that gaming high. With virtual societies, money to earn and even spouses to be had, the draw to stay connected can become irresistible.