Cognitive Failures and Internet Addiction among University Students: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to explore the relationship between cognitive failure and internet addiction. After detailed literature review, it was hypothesized that (1) There would be significant difference in mean scores of normal internet users and different levels of dependant internet users on the variable of cognitive failures; (2) There would be positive correlation between age and internet addiction; and (3) There would be positive correlation among age and number of internet usage hours. The sample of the current study comprised of 334 participants (182 men and 152 women) with age ranging from 18-28 years approached from different educational institutes of Karachi, with minimum education requirement of intermediate. Minimum requirement for internet usage was at least one hour daily for last six months. Research measures employed were: Demographic Information sheet, Internet Addiction Test (IAT) (Young, 1998a) to classify internet users, and Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ) (Broadbent, Cooper, FitzGerald, & Parkes, 1982). Results indicate statistically significant differences among the Normal internet users and Mild, Moderate and Severe dependant internet users on the variable of cognitive failures [F (3,330) = 12.140, p<.001]. Further significant positive correlations were found between Age and Internet Addiction [r(332)=.190, p<.001]; and age and number of daily Internet hours usage [r(334)=.272, p<.001].