How “phubbing” becomes the norm: The antecedents and consequences of snubbing via smartphone

Smartphones allow people to connect with others from almost anywhere at any time. However, there is growing concern that smartphones may actually sometimes detract, rather than complement, social interactions. The term “phubbing” represents the act of snubbing someone in a social setting by concentrating on one’s phone instead of talking to the person directly. The current study was designed to examine some of the psychological antecedents and consequences of phubbing behavior. We examined the contributing roles of Internet addiction, fear of missing out, self-control, and smartphone addiction, and how the frequency of phubbing behavior and of being phubbed may both lead to the perception that phubbing is normative. The results revealed that Internet addiction, fear of missing out, and self-control predicted smartphone addiction, which in turn predicted the extent to which people phub. This path also predicted the extent to which people feel that phubbing is normative, both via (a) the extent to which people are phubbed themselves, and (b) independently. Further, gender moderated the relationship between the extent to which people are phubbed and their perception that phubbing is normative. The present findings suggest that phubbing is an important factor in modern communication that warrants further investigation

Technology and Emotions

Technology alters how people feel, creates outlets for people to express their emotions, and provides social scientists with new tools and data on emotions. This chapter takes a sociological perspective toward research and theories of affect and technology. The chapter is organized into four distinct areas: (1) the relationship between the use of technology and emotions, (2) emotions through technologically mediated interaction and communication, (3) emotions from direct interaction with computer agents and robots, and (4) technological innovations that have altered methodologies for emotions research. Each section suggests how technology, especially modern digital technology, interacts with affective processes to affect individuals, interaction, culture, and society. This leads to a final section where I discuss ideas for future research and for applying theories of emotion to technology