Modern Wisdom #293 - Adam Alter - The Psychology Of Phone & Tech Addiction
13 snips
Mar 11, 2021 
Adam Alter, a Professor of Marketing at NYU and author, unpacks the insidious psychology behind tech addiction. He reveals the tricks that keep us glued to our screens and shares practical strategies for managing our phone use. The conversation dives into the psychological effects of virtual reality, the power of cliffhangers, and how societal views on tech addiction have shifted. Armed with personal anecdotes, Adam urges listeners to confront their own habits and seek deeper connections in an increasingly digital world.
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Phone-Free Bedroom
- Chris Williamson keeps his phone out of the bedroom for better sleep and focus.
- Adam Alter acknowledges this strategy but admits occasional flexibility due to family abroad.
Tech's Psychological Hooks
- Tech companies use variable rewards, like unpredictable notifications, to hook users.
- They also exploit goal-oriented behavior and social dynamics.
Evolutionary Basis of Variable Rewards
- Variable rewards are effective due to our evolutionary past, where persistence in seeking resources was crucial for survival.
- This perseverance translates to modern-day engagement with unpredictable rewards from technology.
