One would presume that cigarettes and alcohol are the deadliest of addictions. So it may come as a surprise then that a recent survey has revealed that people find it more difficult to resist checking social networking sites, like Facebook and Twitter, on a daily basis than, say, lighting up.
The survey of 250 participants, carried out by researchers from the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business, found that sex and sleep were the two things that people wanted most during the day, but their urges to check social networking sites were the hardest to resist. In contrast, the levels of desire for alcohol and tobacco were much lower, despite their reputation for being addictive. It seems that in this day and age we have become hopelessly hooked on social networking.
The research also found that during the day our constant efforts to resist temptation sap our willpower, which makes our cravings even stronger. “As a day wears on, willpower becomes lower and self-control efforts are more likely to fail,” said Dr Wilhelm Hofmann, who led the research.
Apparently we have a greater chance of giving in to our desires if we have resisted the desire in question frequently or recently. This is why you may turn down the offer of a drink once, but cave the next time you’re asked.
While some of us may scoff and think “I’m not addicted, I can quit any time I want!” chances are the scientists have it right this time.
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SÃle Cleary writes about architecture and city stuff for Toronto Standard. Follow her on Twitter at @silecleary.
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