Abstract
Background and aims
The shift from goal-directed to habitual control is a well-documented phenomenon in addiction research and is considered a critical factor in the development and maintenance of addictive behaviors. Whether Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) is also associated with such a shift is not yet clear. The current study investigated the imbalance between goal-directed and habitual control in individuals with IGD.
Methods
Goal-directed and habitual control, as informed by model-based (MB) and model-free (MF) learning, were assessed with a two-step sequential decision-making task during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in 33 young adults with IGD and 32 healthy controls (HCs). Self-report data regarding addictive symptoms, game craving, and impulsivity were also collected.
Results
Individuals with IGD relied more heavily on habitual control to guide subsequent choices compared to HCs. According to a hybrid reinforcement learning model, individuals with IGD also exhibited a reduced MB weight related to HCs, which was correlated with more severe addictive symptoms. fMRI results revealed that individuals with IGD showed increased MF reward prediction error (RPEMF) signals in the right triangular part of the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG). No significant group differences were found in the contrast of RPEMB maps.
Discussion and conclusions
Our study provides both behavioral and neural evidence highlighting an imbalance between goal-directed and habitual control, favoring habitual control in individuals with IGD. This imbalance is associated with the severity of addictive symptoms, suggesting an indication of habit inclination in IGD could potentially contribute to the development or maintenance of the addiction.
The shift from goal-directed to habitual control is a well-documented phenomenon in addiction research and is considered a critical factor in the development and maintenance of addictive behaviors. Whether Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) is also associated with such a shift is not yet clear. The current study investigated the imbalance between goal-directed and habitual control in individuals with IGD.
Methods
Goal-directed and habitual control, as informed by model-based (MB) and model-free (MF) learning, were assessed with a two-step sequential decision-making task during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in 33 young adults with IGD and 32 healthy controls (HCs). Self-report data regarding addictive symptoms, game craving, and impulsivity were also collected.
Results
Individuals with IGD relied more heavily on habitual control to guide subsequent choices compared to HCs. According to a hybrid reinforcement learning model, individuals with IGD also exhibited a reduced MB weight related to HCs, which was correlated with more severe addictive symptoms. fMRI results revealed that individuals with IGD showed increased MF reward prediction error (RPEMF) signals in the right triangular part of the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG). No significant group differences were found in the contrast of RPEMB maps.
Discussion and conclusions
Our study provides both behavioral and neural evidence highlighting an imbalance between goal-directed and habitual control, favoring habitual control in individuals with IGD. This imbalance is associated with the severity of addictive symptoms, suggesting an indication of habit inclination in IGD could potentially contribute to the development or maintenance of the addiction.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Journal of Behavioral Addictions |
| Early online date | 28 Apr 2025 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 28 Apr 2025 |
Funding
Funding sources: This work was partly supported by the Humanities and Social Science Fund of Ministry of Education of China (23YJA190004); the National Science Foundation of China (32200882); Sichuan Science and Technology Department (23ZDYF2557); Sichuan Applied Psychology Research Center (CSXL-22102); Southwest Medical University (2022ZD004); and Social Sciences Federation of Southwest Medical University (SMUSS202220).
Keywords
- internet gaming disorder
- goal-directed/habitual control
- addiction
- reward prediction error
- fMRI