Gaming Addiction = Aspergers Syndrome?

[fitbabits]

That's the conclusion of a study carried out by Dr John Charlton of the University of Bolton and Ian Danforth of Whitman College, USA.

This is the conclusion of Dr John Charlton of the University of Bolton and Ian Danforth of Whitman College, USA. Their results will be presented at the British Psychological Society’s Annual Conference in Dublin today, Thursday 3 April 2008.

The researchers questioned 391 computer game players, 86 per cent of whom were male. They considered relationships between addiction, ‘high engagement’ and personality.

They found that the closer the players got to addiction the more likely they were to display negative personality traits. And that as players showed more signs of addiction they were increasingly characterised by three personality traits that would normally be associated with Aspergers, a variety of high functioning autism. These were neuroticism, and lack of extraversion and agreeableness.
Click the headline for more details.

[fitbabits]

People who are addicted to playing computer games show some of the same personality traits as people with Aspergers syndrome.

This is the conclusion of Dr John Charlton of the University of Bolton and Ian Danforth of Whitman College, USA. Their results will be presented at the British Psychological Society’s Annual Conference in Dublin today, Thursday 3 April 2008.

The researchers questioned 391 computer game players, 86 per cent of whom were male. They considered relationships between addiction, ‘high engagement’ and personality.

They found that the closer the players got to addiction the more likely they were to display negative personality traits. And that as players showed more signs of addiction they were increasingly characterised by three personality traits that would normally be associated with Aspergers, a variety of high functioning autism. These were neuroticism, and lack of extraversion and agreeableness.

The researchers believe that these people are not classifiable as having Aspergers syndrome but share some of the same characteristics because they find it easier to empathise with computer systems than other people.

Dr Charlton said: “The thinking in the field is that there is a scale along which people, even those considered to be ‘normal’, can be placed upon. And that people such as engineers, mathematicians and computer scientists are nearer to the non-empathising, systemising, end of the spectrum, with people with Aspergers syndrome even further along again.

“Our research supports the idea that people who are heavily involved in game playing may be nearer to autistic spectrum disorders than people who have no interest in gaming.”
I remember the days when the argument was whether or not games were "addictive" (back in the days of the ZX Spectrum). Seems we've now gone way past that and are now looking at the effects of gaming addiction.

[JediSanf]

Hahaha, no.

[bryan]

I can attest to the validity of the results. Myself, and quite a few of my clanmates, really got way too much into World of Warcraft. I was extremely irritable, and didn't want to socialize outside of the game. When one of my guildmembers started neglecting his 2 year old kid, it made me realize how poisonous the addiction was, so I quit. Sold my account for a song too, just wanted to get rid of it.

[MSUStud911]

Every behavior nowadays has to be classified as some sort of syndrome. Asperger's seems to be the latest catchall diagnosis.

[Johan]

If I'm reading this correctly, it sounds like he's saying that some individuals with Asperger's are drawn to gaming because it reinforces some of the "traits" of their condition...which seems entirely plausible to me.

If he's saying that gaming causes (causal, not correlative) Asperger's then I'm not only skeptical, but I'm highly amused.

[darkwarrior]

Gee, addiction causes negative personality traits.

Who paid for this?

[NationalKato]

If he's saying that gaming causes (causal, not correlative) Asperger's then I'm not only skeptical, but I'm highly amused.

No, he's saying the symptoms are similar to Asperger's:

The researchers believe that these people are not classifiable as having Aspergers syndrome but share some of the same characteristics because they find it easier to empathise with computer systems than other people.


I don't find much in this to disagree with. Less agreeable, less extroverted, more neurotic...I think you can find plenty of examples of this in gamers who do little else but game.

[captainstrombosis]

If I'm reading this correctly, it sounds like he's saying that some individuals with Asperger's are drawn to gaming because it reinforces some of the "traits" of their condition...which seems entirely plausible to me.

If he's saying that gaming causes (causal, not correlative) Asperger's then I'm not only skeptical, but I'm highly amused.

He's saying that people who become addicted to video games display some of the characteristics of Asperger's. Not that they actually have it. He also hinted at actual, legitimate professions edging towards that side of the "scale". So basically, Video games make you act anti-social.

[Demo_Boy]

So addicted players are more agreeable?

[Philonious]

He isn't suggesting causation. He is suggesting that the further along you are on the spectrum from normal to Asperger's and finally autism, the more likely you are to become addicted. We all place on this spectrum.

As for the topic of game addiction, I don't think all games are addictive, but WoW makes a pretty good run at it. The various variable schedules of reward are brilliantly designed to keep you hooked.

[Wraith]

He's saying that people who become addicted to video games display some of the characteristics of Asperger's. Not that they actually have it. He also hinted at actual, legitimate professions edging towards that side of the "scale". So basically, Video games make you act anti-social.OR being anti-social, you get drawn deeper into video games than the average person? (And there's a difference between anti-social and asocial. Isn't anti-social generally acting out against others, rather than isolating oneself from or limiting contact with others?)

[Philonious]

So basically, Video games make you act anti-social.

No, I think he's arguing self-selection. That people with certain personality traits are drawn to these games. No one think you are introverted because you are a computer scientist, they think that you're a computer scientist because you are introverted.

Also, link please.

[Grifter]

Video games have nothing to do with this. If you take any human being and deny them any real human interaction for long enough periods of time the result will be the same no matter what they were doing in the process.

[TrackZero]

neuroticism

Doesn't surprise me at all actually. Checking up the definitions of that, I've definitely fit that bill over the years (though thankfully it's recessed largely these days).

[TrackZero]

Gee, addiction causes negative personality traits.

Who paid for this?

They didn't say it was an addiction. You and fitbabits seem to be reading something else from the article. The statement was "They considered relationships between addiction, ‘high engagement’ and personality." Considering something and not having it in your findings does not = it being suddenly one of your findings. It's just something you examined.

[Roc Ingersol]

If being neurotic, introverted and disagreeable is wrong, I don't wanna be right.

[Philonious]

Video games have nothing to do with this. If you take any human being and deny them any real human interaction for long enough periods of time the result will be the same no matter what they were doing in the process.

You're prepared to argue that there are no consistent difference between individuals who choose gaming as a hobby and those who don't? Now that things are becoming more mainstream there is much more variability. But think back to when you were a kid and tell me this, were kids who were seriously into gaming more likely to play sports or read books?

[fitbabits]

They didn't say it was an addiction. You and fitbabits seem to be reading something else from the article.

I put the question mark there for a reason! It invites discussion and debate.

[Philonious]

I remember the days when the argument was whether or not games were "addictive" (back in the days of the ZX Spectrum). Seems we've now gone way past that and are now looking at the effects of gaming addiction.

I think that this is the part Track as commenting on. Where can I find more information? I'm intrigued.

[Telefrog]

Fuck this guy and fuck all of you! I have some serious gaming and forum trolling to do and this shit is getting in my way.



Oh, wait...

[Citizen Philip]

I've heard that sometimes people addicted to crack also act like a whore in relation to their addiction. However, I have also determined that some women act like whores when presented with money as well. I assume there is some correlation here and I require additional government funding to pursue this subject of crack whoring.

[fitbabits]

I think that this is the part Track as commenting on. Where can I find more information? I'm intrigued.

There are studies out there (dating back to 1990 and further still) that examine that very topic. (http://news.google.com/archivesearch?q=are+games+addictive%3F&hl=en&rlz=1T4EGLC_enUS265US265&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tab=wn&scoring=n&sa=N&sugg=d&as_ldate=1990&as_hdate=1997&lnav=d4&hdrange=1998,2007)

[NationalKato]

So addicted players are more agreeable?

No. Read it again.

[Philonious]

There are studies out there (dating back to 1990 and further still) that examine that very topic. (http://news.google.com/archivesearch?q=are+games+addictive%3F&hl=en&rlz=1T4EGLC_enUS265US265&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tab=wn&scoring=n&sa=N&sugg=d&as_ldate=1990&as_hdate=1997&lnav=d4&hdrange=1998,2007)

Thanks, but I meant to the original article. My brain might be frozen, but I couldn't find a link to the original source.

[fitbabits]

Thanks, but I meant to the original article. My brain might be frozen, but I couldn't find a link to the original source.

Of the main article? There is no link - it was a press release I got via email.

[Purple Santa]

Thanks, but I meant to the original article. My brain might be frozen, but I couldn't find a link to the original source.

I was thinking the same. Always easier to "critique" something when we can view the whole piece of research. However, since it's being presented at a conference, it might be tougher to track down. If it's going to be published or has, then we can get our hands on it.

[Philonious]

Of the main article? There is no link - it was a press release I got via email.

Cool, thanks. Sorry about the confusion. I like hearing about gaming studies that don't revolve around 'proving' that games turning us all into homicidal maniacs.

Begs the question: Who here feels that they have been addicted to a game? I was so into BioShock that I played every second I could, and would think/read about it when I could play. I would consider it a form of addiction, but once I was done with the game the drive to play was gone. WoW on the other hand still haunts me, I quit with a couple chars in the 40s because I didn't really have the time, but every time I see a screenshot I get the urge to play. When I was playing, the urge was all consuming... I'd argue I was addicted. Problem with WoW is that it demands much more time than your typical game.

[TrackZero]

I put the question mark there for a reason! It invites discussion and debate.

Fair enough. It also lets those who "don't read good" go off on an off-topic rant. ;)

[TrackZero]

I've heard that sometimes people addicted to crack also act like a whore in relation to their addiction. However, I have also determined that some women act like whores when presented with money as well. I assume there is some correlation here and I require additional government funding to pursue this subject of crack whoring.

The only correlation is you can't read.

[Cyndair]

As a former MMO addict I can totally agree with the characteristics.

If I'm playing.. don't bother me. Even the simplest of tasks became highly irritating because I'd have to stop what I'm doing, get up, and take care of something. Taking out the trash, cooking dinner, eating, spending time with the gf, highly annoying.

If I'm not playing, I want to be playing. Seriously, whatever we are doing right now, lets just get it over with as quickly as possible so I can get home and back to the game. I have things to do today... in the game and this is getting in the way.

I was happier when my girlfriend was at work because I could play without her actually wanting to talk to me or get my attention.

Neurotic? Yeah Highly irritable? Oh yeah. Did I display these characteristics before I started playing MMOs? No actually. I'd argue that I wasn't predisposed to any of these things and that my personality was changed quite a bit while gaming. Is it the game's fault? No, I don't think so. When I was able to break away I quickly reverted back to my good ol' self but it was hard to do initially.

[Citizen Philip]

The only correlation is you can't read.

I think you are a gamer. I can tell, your an ass.

[spacemanspiff757]

An interesting study I'd say, to see how gaming can have an effect on a person. I also think that the level of addiction can be associated with Tourettes...at least from what I've seen playing WoW, Battlefield, and Halo..

[LordFu]

Asperger's, the new ADD. :rolleyes:

Newsflash! People can become psychologically addicted to anything, whether it be sex, drugs, video games, work, or any of the millions of other activities human beings participate in. More at 11!

It's a natural human behavior, obviously. This desire to label and medicate what amounts to a simple personality flaw is asinine.

[EternalGamer]

A didn't really need a study to tell me this. A quick trip to youtube will suffice. There are literally hundreds if not thousands of examples of kids displaying this type of behavior in videos. The most classic and grating of course being this:

z5msT0AOF20

That video is enough reason for me to never want to play Wow. Hell, it is enough to make me ashamed to say I enjoy the same hobby as this kid.

[sparx394]

If being neurotic, introverted and disagreeable is wrong, I don't wanna be right.

Amen.......

[TrackZero]

I think you are a gamer. I can tell, your an ass.

It's "YOU'RE an ass". Like I said, learn to read. ;)

[Citizen Philip]

It's "YOU'RE an ass". Like I said, learn to read. ;)

Spell! Not read! Get it rite!

[MaiXu]

Oddly enough, my friend's brother who has Asperger's (with the apostrophe) found a very easy outlet for his intense focus in games. He's grab a controller and be able to play for hours and hours and never show signs of boredom, fatigue, and interrupting him was a bad idea.

That's a far cry from me or anyone else having Asperger's because they play intensely.

[antoniogaud]

I have two cousins diagnosed with Aspergers whom I interact with quite a bit and for the life of me I cant see ANYTHING wrong with them other than both of them are very VERY smart.

[Venkman]

Are they talking about video game addicts or internet forum addicts? ;)

[abso]

I think I'm addicted to news posts about addiction. =)

In all seriousness though, I find nothing inherently wrong with this study, although it would be nice to have the full paper to read. Any idea what conference it is being presented at? Honestly, I'm not sure that addiction is even at heart here. To me, it is more a question of given extended and regular playing of video games, these are the observed behavioral effects. It just so happens that these effects are similar to those who have Asberger's. As a result of knowing this, those people that are seeking help to cut back game usage, or wish to help someone they think is playing too much, might be able to use some of the same behavioral treatments as Asberger's.

[51|RandoM]

This is basically the scientific version of "it tastes like chicken."

[Craigtheplague]

My ex-girlfriend said that I may have asbergers. I believe she may be right. When I get play a videogame, I tend to zone into it and don't pay attention to anything around me. My friends compared me to the wizard. Ever since I moved to Europe, I haven't been playing videogames much at all due to the high cost. I must say, it has helped me a lot in improving my social skills. I hang out with a lot more people than I did when I was living in the states. I would like to get back into some serious gaming someday; hopefully, I'll be able to balance videogames with other activities better.

[LongStepMantis]

If being neurotic, introverted and disagreeable is wrong, I don't wanna be right.

Amen brother.
If anyone needs me, I'll be lurking in the darkest sections of my fortified cave...waiting.

[drakkarim]

that's nice, one could also say that a typical fever/cold shares some symptoms with aids.

i.e., so what?

[TheFlyingOrc]

Every behavior nowadays has to be classified as some sort of syndrome. Asperger's seems to be the latest catchall diagnosis.

I promise you, if you've ever met someone with actual, full blown Asperger's Syndrome, you won't believe it's fictional.

Many people incorrectly self-diagnose themselves, though.

[dirtbag]

I don't find much in this to disagree with. Less agreeable, less extroverted, more neurotic...I think you can find plenty of examples of this in gamers who do little else but game.

I think you can find plenty of examples of this on internet message boards.

[A Lusty Alien]

I thought that Asperger's Syndrome was the the inability to read social cues from facial expression, voice inflections and body posture.

Now then, somebody with Apserger's or a tendency in that direction is probably going to feel much more comfortable in a online gaming environment where you're responding to typed messages rather than vocal words.

[Savok]

Now then, somebody with Apserger's or a tendency in that direction is probably going to feel much more comfortable in a online gaming environment where you're responding to typed messages rather than vocal words.
That's it. Not to mention the heightened sensitivity to everything that's confusing.

Which sounds more appealing? The confusing mass of horrors that is reality, constantly bombarding your senses with so much information it just becomes deafening noise. Or would you prefer a completely structured experience where everything is supplied in measured doses and everything you need to know is shown to you and things you don't need to know aren't even there?

Honestly it's like the rest of the world is constantly playing catch-up to me.

[TrackZero]

I think you are a gamer. I can tell, your an ass.

Why thank you sir. ;)

[TrackZero]

My friends compared me to the wizard.

You suck at Super Mario Bros. 3?

[Grumsh]

Every behavior nowadays has to be classified as some sort of syndrome. Asperger's seems to be the latest catchall diagnosis.

Not going to verbatum quote the DSM IV-TR, basicly because if I touch my wife's books she will beat me with a stick... But my understanding from her complaining on the subject (complaining in a good way as in this needs to change) they need to get something classified, so they can get a medicine prescribed for it so they can get more funding so they can research it more.

So basicly hyper-sensationalize it, so some government half-wit will act like he has a clue and give you grant money so you can do actual REAL research on the topic.

Although either my wife is rubbing off on me or this theory is a little more full of holes than normal. Go google DSM IV-TR Aspergers diagnosis, and you will see this feels more like a chicken and egg thing for lack of better words. I would think that an Aspergers sufferer would actually be drawn to Video games and especially MMO/Online style games then as opposed to normal people having similar symptoms...

[Savok]

Not going to verbatum quote the DSM IV-TR, basicly because if I touch my wife's books she will beat me with a stick... But my understanding from her complaining on the subject (complaining in a good way as in this needs to change) they need to get something classified, so they can get a medicine prescribed for it so they can get more funding so they can research it more.

So basicly hyper-sensationalize it, so some government half-wit will act like he has a clue and give you grant money so you can do actual REAL research on the topic.
To call the support for autism in Australia lacking would be a gross understatement. I mean christ, 5 years ago the fucking thing wasn't even properly listed on the disability forms, only now are things finally becoming available.

Last I checked, Japan still didn't recognize the illness as real, though that was awhile back now.

[Rommel]

He isn't suggesting causation. He is suggesting that the further along you are on the spectrum from normal to Asperger's and finally autism, the more likely you are to become addicted. We all place on this spectrum.

As for the topic of game addiction, I don't think all games are addictive, but WoW makes a pretty good run at it. The various variable schedules of reward are brilliantly designed to keep you hooked.

All games are addictive. Any activity that causes pleasure can be addicting. The brain releases dopamine during fun activities, which dries up when not engaged in them. Games come under fire because it is presumed that they are "A haven for children."

Amen brother.
If anyone needs me, I'll be lurking in the darkest sections of my fortified cave...waiting.

My coming will be soon. For now, I remain dreaming. Keep vigilant, and make sure there is coffee available. Now THAT is an addiction.

[nemyhlovecraft]

Dr John Charlton...Hmmm...thats really close to charlatan, isn't it?