Irresistible audiobook cover - The Rise of Addictive Technology and the Business of Keeping Us Hooked

Irresistible

The Rise of Addictive Technology and the Business of Keeping Us Hooked

Adam Alter

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Categories:
Technology & the FutureMarketing & Sales

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Irresistible
The Reality of Tech Addiction+
The Psychology of Addiction+
Specific Behavioral Addictions+
Negative Impacts+
Solutions & Prevention+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 9
According to data from the app Moment, how does people's perceived smartphone usage generally compare to their actual usage?
  • A. They underestimate their usage by about half.
  • B. They overestimate their usage due to modern technology anxiety.
  • C. Their perception is generally accurate to within 15 minutes.
  • D. They underestimate their usage by a factor of ten.
Question 2 of 9
What did psychiatrist Lee Robbins' study of Vietnam War veterans reveal about the nature of addiction?
  • A. Addiction is primarily caused by genetic predispositions and weak willpower.
  • B. Removing addicts from the stressful environment where the addiction formed drastically prevents relapse.
  • C. Only a small percentage of soldiers were able to kick the habit once returning to the US.
  • D. Behavioral therapy is entirely ineffective without pharmacological intervention.
Question 3 of 9
How does prolonged exposure to glowing screens at night specifically harm our physical health?
  • A. It overstimulates the optic nerve, leading to chronic migraines and eye fatigue.
  • B. It triggers the overproduction of dopamine, leading to severe withdrawal symptoms the next morning.
  • C. The blue light prevents the body from producing melatonin, disrupting sleep and increasing the risk of illness.
  • D. It causes an immediate spike in cortisol levels, resulting in nocturnal panic attacks.
Question 4 of 9
Why is responding to emails immediately considered detrimental to productivity?
  • A. It prevents colleagues from attempting to solve their own problems first.
  • B. It takes an average of 25 minutes to return to a state of deep concentration after checking an email.
  • C. Fast responses are often perceived as aggressive or poorly thought out by management.
  • D. It causes the email server to send more frequent notifications, compounding the distraction.
Question 5 of 9
How does the 'like' button on social media function similarly to Michael Zeiler's pigeon experiment?
  • A. It provides a guaranteed reward every time a user posts, creating a steady and predictable dopamine drip.
  • B. It relies on unpredictable feedback, which creates a larger dopamine rush and drives persistent engagement.
  • C. It forces users to interact with others to receive their reward, mimicking flock behavior.
  • D. It penalizes users for inactivity, causing anxiety-driven usage.
Question 6 of 9
What did Timothy D. Wilson's electric shock experiment demonstrate about human psychology?
  • A. Humans have a natural aversion to any form of physical discomfort.
  • B. People are highly susceptible to peer pressure when placed in a testing environment.
  • C. Humans have a deeply ingrained need to seek out hardship or challenges to overcome, even when given the chance to relax.
  • D. Physical pain is often used as a subconscious coping mechanism for technology withdrawal.
Question 7 of 9
According to child psychologist Yalda T. Uhls' study, what happened when children were taken on a technology-free nature retreat?
  • A. Their ability to read facial expressions and empathize improved significantly after just one week.
  • B. They experienced severe withdrawal symptoms that negated any positive effects of the retreat.
  • C. Their problem-solving skills decreased because they lacked access to search engines.
  • D. Their attention spans remained unchanged, proving that screen time has no permanent effects.
Question 8 of 9
According to Charles Duhigg's framework mentioned in the book, what is the most effective method for curbing an unwanted addiction?
  • A. Using sheer willpower to repress the urge to engage in the behavior.
  • B. Completely isolating oneself from all technological devices for at least 30 days.
  • C. Replacing the routine associated with the addiction's cue with a healthier substitute.
  • D. Punishing yourself every time you give in to the addictive behavior.
Question 9 of 9
What actionable advice does the book offer regarding internet browser tabs to prevent a false sense of productivity?
  • A. Use an extension to block all social media tabs during work hours.
  • B. Avoid opening more than two tabs at a time to stay focused on a single task.
  • C. Keep email tabs open in a separate window to separate communication from deep work.
  • D. Refresh your tabs every hour to reset your dopamine feedback loop.

Irresistible — Full Chapter Overview

Irresistible Summary & Overview

Irresistible (2017) shows how dangerously dependent we’ve become on the smartphones, tablets, video games and social platforms that we’ve surrounded ourselves with. Is our attachment to these devices strictly related to the convenience they provide? Or have we actually grown addicted to the psychological rewards they offer?

Who Should Listen to Irresistible?

  • Psychology students
  • Technology addicts
  • Anyone looking to be more productive

About the Author: Adam Alter

Adam Alter, PhD, teaches psychology at New York University’s Stern School of Business. His ideas and research on social psychology have made him a sought-after consultant for a number of businesses, including Google and Microsoft. He’s written for such publications as the New York Times and WIRED. His previous book is the bestseller Drunk Tank Pink.

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