Frequent texting and our poor distracted Brain

Here is one of the several studies requoted that will fire up some people :)
Let us see what young people and our psych majors have to say on this study.

http://www.newsmax.com/newswidget/frequent-texters-shallow-people/2013/04/12/id/499253?promo_code=125BD-1&utm_source=125BDTelegraph_Media_Group&utm_medium=nmwidget&utm_campaign=widgetphase1

Prior research also indicates that sending frequent text-messages with your phone is not only addicting, but dangerous, possibly damaging to your brain. An interesting overview article:

http://www.declineoftheempire.com/2012/03/technological-progress-marches-on-brain-damaged-teenagers.html

The color bar chart you find in this article may or may not come as a shock to you. 3417 texts per month or over 100/day. This breaks down to seven texts "every waking hour," or roughly one every 8 1/2 minutes...
for the 13-17 age group!

Everyone is already aware how serious texting and distracted driving can be, still very few give it up until something serious occurs. Why?

3417 is lower than I expected. I usually go over that as texting is my main form of communication. I havent read the article, will so soon :)

I will say when I am driving I wont even touch my phone. I keep it on silent and in my purse.. but I file a lot of claims for my clients were cell phones are involved.

Aw man, I've only sent 2 texts so far today. I've gotta get moving!

^That does scare me, Britt. I know I've been guilty of occasionally checking or sending short texts while stopped at a light, but I try not to do that. I don't even like phone calls while driving. It amazes me how many people you see texting while on the road.

The article about texting/shallow people is... interesting. I wonder, though... is there anything to suggest that frequent texting actually makes people superficial, or is it more that superficial people tend to be heavy texters?

I think the first argument is somewhat problematic. The article talks about how the fact that texting occurs in short bursts means that people aren't developing nuanced and substantial thoughts. Yes, you don't get the option for drawn out reflection of ideas, as you would while writing an essay or a letter, but but I kind of feel like texting is meant to more accurately mirror the back and forth of regular conversation, rather than developing deep thinking. We don't (these days, at least) get a lot of people talking about quick phone conversations being detrimental to thinking - and I think texts sort of fall along that line. I'm not saying there isn't anything real behind this study, I just think some of the concern here might be a little bit of "oh no, new technology, let me clutch my pearls!"

That aside, I think there is something to be said regarding texting and distraction. Your brain treats getting a little text message notification buzz as a reward. You get a little rush out of it, and I think THAT could become addicting, and distract you from paying attention to what you're doing.

It is my belief that frequent texting is very similar to many other addictions:

Examples:
cigarette, alcohol, drug, gambling, food or sex addictions

In all of these, one way or another, dopamine, a "feel good" neurotransmitter is involved in the pleasure seeking-reward-more pleasure-more reward vicious cycle. The up regulation of dopamine mediated pathways somehow mediates a lot of these addictions.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/brain-wise/201209/why-were-all-addicted-texts-twitter-and-google

Here is a Venn diagram showing a very basic overview of the major neurotransmitters involved with psychology (mood, alertness, and other behaviors).
http://i.imgur.com/L9dEE.gif

And I agree that it is a bit problematic to accept that frequent texting causes "shallowness". Dopamine is also involved in learning and memory, so one has to view this research with a pinch of salt. On the other hand, excessive distractions and multitasking seen frequently in this group are not very conducive to in-depth learning and analytical thinking.

I think anything can be addicting if not used in moderation. My dad jokes I'm addicted to texting, but I dont text all day. When I'm with my husband I stay off my phone, the majority of the time at work, or if I'm with people/out doing something. Not all my friends are this way and it irks me.

My younger cousins grew up with texting and they cant hardly carry a conversation. It drives me nuts. They also cant really spell that well.. where generally in my family thats something we can do. My one cousin who doesnt have a cell phone at 19 is the most advanced out of the rest... very well versed and mannered, and educated. I dont necessarily understand the shallow aspect, though.

I wonder if people thought the telephone would be detrimental to conversation and relationships?

I bet they did.

Although... I guess people were really into new technology around that time. They were pretty optimistic about scientific advancement, and thought it would solve all these big problems.

"Not all my friends are this way and it irks me."

Yeah! I just had two good friends out visiting me for the weekend, and I feel like they were both on their phones constantly. Last night, we had planned a good, old-fashioned movie night in my living room. Got some snacks, popped in The Princess Bride, ... and I watched the movie while they were on their phones. Sigh.

There might be some generational differences at work, here. I originally didn't want a cellphone, really, but my parents wanted me to get one when I started driving, which makes sense. But by that point, you know, I had already formed some basic social skills : ). I don't know how different it is if you have a cellphone from age 9. I guess we'll see!