How do construal levels affect the intertemporal choices of Internet addicts?

Abstract

Although various studies have shown that construal levels affect intertemporal choices, how this specifically occurs in individuals with Internet addiction remains unknown. We aimed to examine how do construal levels affect the intertemporal choices of Internet addicts. This study employed a 2 × 2 experimental design to explore this issue in greater depth, with 55 Internet addicts and 55 healthy controls that were well matched in age and gender. Each participant experienced one of two construal level priming conditions (high versus low) before completing an intertemporal decision-making task. The results of the experiment revealed that construal level had an effect on the intertemporal choices of Internet addicts as well as healthy controls. However, the subjective values of the intertemporal choices of participants with Internet addiction were significantly lower. Additionally, the subjective values of intertemporal choices were significantly higher among participants who had been primed to have a high construal (i.e., more abstract) mindset as opposed to a low construal (i.e., more concrete) one. This result further affirmed the influence of construal level on intertemporal choice, regardless of whether individuals were addicted to the Internet. Although Internet addicts discounted delayed gains more steeply than did normal Internet users, both exhibited shortsightedness in the low construal level priming condition. These results suggest that Internet addicts as well as normal users are more long-sighted in high construal level priming condition. Implications of the current findings for long-term benefit planning or goal setting and the development of effective interventions are discussed.