Addictive motivational scaffolds and the structure of social media
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 10815239 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Lorenzo Manuali (0009-0006-3215-5703, University of Michigan, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 206 |
| Issue | 5 |
| Publication date | 2025-10-22 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Synthese (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0039-7857 • E-ISSN: 1573-0964 |
| Publisher | Springer Science and Business Media LLC (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1007/s11229-025-05312-z |
| PMID | 41536776 |
| OpenAlex | W4415437475 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 97 |
In this paper, I propose an account of behavioral addiction in terms of what I call addictive motivational scaffolds (AMSs). Taking inspiration from recent work concerning psychiatric externalism and addiction, I propose and describe the concept of motivational scaffolding: external structure that enhances, supports, or regulates motivational processes in the mind-brain. I then argue that some motivational scaffolds are likely difference-makers in that they make an activity more addictive. The paper proceeds in three main parts. First, I describe the concept of a motivational scaffold and how it builds on recent literature in 4E cognition/psychiatric externalist accounts of addiction. Using gambling and gaming as paradigm cases of addictive activities, I then identify and empirically justify four addictive motivational scaffolds (AMSs): (1) quantified metrics, (2) reward uncertainty, (3) short time-horizon to reward, and (4) physically salient features. Finally, I apply my account to social media to showcase its philosophical usefulness: analyzing behavioral addiction in terms of AMSs uniquely elucidates the more structural aspects of the addictiveness of social media, which are undertheorized
Addiction · Addictive behavior · Externalism · Internalism and externalism · Reward system · Salient · Social media · Digital Games and Media · Gambling Behavior and Treatments · Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology
Social Media and the Public Interest
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
Addiction by Design
The Seductions of Quantification
A review of theories and models applied in studies of social media addiction and implications for future research
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Priming of pop-out
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Affective neuroscience of pleasure
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A critical consideration of social networking sites’ addiction potential
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Video game loot boxes are psychologically akin to gambling
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Seeing Like a State
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |