Analysis of Internet Addiction in Student Groups and Its Socio-Psychological Significance ¹⁸⁴⁴

The article presents research results on level of Internet addiction among students. It demonstrates that Internet addiction is more or less typical to all respondents \ subjects and influences attraction relationships, as well as adequacy of self-perception within the framework of such intergroup structure as the structure of informal authority. Between group differences were shown in preferred leader qualities. Predisposition to Internet addiction is higher in students specializing in technical sciences than in those who study humanities. Among humanitarian professionals Internet addiction is an accidental occurrence which doesn't influence attraction relationships and other group processes. This phenomenon is spread much wider among people of technical professions and is closer to tendency. Most students with predisposition to Internet addiction are sociometrical 'stars'. Status position in the intergroup structure of attraction relationships is directly related to intensity of personal Internet addiction. The research shows connection between considerable overstatement of one's position in the group and professional identity and between overstatement of the position in the group and disposition to Internet addiction.

Column: Developmental Psychology