Internet addiction’s effect on likeability and rapport Anthony Iacovelli * , Stavros Valenti Hofstra University, Department of Psychology, 135 Hauser Hall, Hempstead, NY 11549, USA article info Article history: Available online 17 November 2008 Keywords: Internet addiction Excessive Internet use abstract The Internet Paradox refers to findings that demonstrated that the increase in communications brought about by Internet usage actually had negative effects on user’s psychological well-being and social involvement. This study proposes that face-to-face contact promotes the development of rapport and thereby individuals that use the internet excessively will lack these necessary social skills. Specifically, we investigate whether, through use of telephone communications, average users ratings of likeability and rapport would differ when speaking to excessive internet users. This experiment utilized previously unacquainted individuals who conversed by telephone while discussing both, a cooperative and an adversarial task. Results indicate that excessive users were more likely to be depressed and socially inhib- ited, and also were rated as having a lower level of rapport and likeability. Further research is required in order to explain the role of personality in excessive internet usage. Ó 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. 1. Introduction Over the past decade worldwide internet use has grown dra- matically with an estimated 305.5% growth rate (Internet World Stats, 2008). With this rise in internet usage has come an increase in technological communications (Kraut et al., 1998). This type of interaction requires an external verbalization of thoughts, similar to face-to-face communications. The current trend in society is for individuals to socialize with others through computer-medi- ated communications, a new form of communications technology (Kraut et al., 1998). This form of interaction provides the individual with an increase in time to respond, as well as the ability to edit and review any thoughts before they are shared. Could the psycho- social benefits of verbal interaction and socialization actually play a role in this person’s clinical health? The amount of time that peo- ple spend conversing through instant messenger as opposed to ac- tual peer interactions may play a role in how they deal with life’s stressors. New technologies are altering self-perceptions, as well as, individual’s life satisfaction (Green et al., 2005). Present research in the field of psychology focuses on the ben- efits of this type of interaction, claiming that it has the capability of teaching its users to multitask, and affords them the opportunity to expand their social networks beyond physical limitations. Bud- man (2000) has even suggested that the future of psychotherapy lies in computer-mediated communications due to cost effective- ness and ease of use. Carlbring and Andersson further explored this area in 2006, and posit that internet delivered self-help programs may demonstrate some promising results in treating panic disor- der. Their review included findings that these online programs were equally as effective as in-vivo exposure treatments for social phobia in university students (Tillfors et al., 2008). Other positive aspects of Internet usage concentrates on the removal of the indi- vidual as a physical entity, and thereby highlighting personality in- stead of surface qualities such as physical appearances (Joinson, 1998). Despite these findings, it appears as though this method of com- munication may be hindering the social growth of a number of individuals. Since some people may be choosing to spend more time communicating through virtual means, they may begin to lack interpersonal skills in verbal interactions. This emerging as- pect of communication is relatively unexplored and has the poten- tial to be relevant for clinical treatments. Therefore, the current study will investigate the role that computer-mediated communi- cations play in the likeability and rapport of college level students who have been reared in this type of society. The Internet Paradox refers to findings that demonstrated that the increase in communications brought about by Internet usage actually had negative effects on user’s psychological well-being and social involvement (Kraut et al., 1998). Internet use can dis- place valuable time that people spend with family and friends, which leads to smaller social circles and higher levels of loneliness, stress, and depressive symptoms (Nie, Hillygus, & Erbring, 2002). It appears as though as the Internet continues to develop, more indi- viduals are exhibiting dependent behaviors and may possess Inter- net Addictions (Young, 1996). The consequences of excessive usage have been documented as neglect of academic, work, and domestic responsibilities, disruption of relationships, social isolation, and financial problems (Egger & Rauterberg, 1996; Griffiths, 2000; Young, 1996). 0747-5632/$ - see front matter Ó 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.chb.2008.10.006 * Corresponding author. Tel.: +1 845 590 3757. E-mail address: Anthony.Iacovelli@gmail.com (A. Iacovelli). Computers in Human Behavior 25 (2009) 439–443 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Computers in Human Behavior journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/comphumbeh