A recent study reveals that the use of mobile phones can be contagious.
The researchers found that an individual is twice as likely to either engage in a mobile conversation or check for messages when in the company of someone doing the same.
The study conducted by the University of Michigan revealed that checking one’s phone serves as an “alternative outlet” for attention.
Furthermore, it was observed that women tended to use their mobiles more than men due to the phones being more “integrated into the daily lives of women.”
Dr. Daniel Kruger, co-author of the study, stated, “What we found most interesting was just how frequently individuals were using their mobile phones.”
“Each participant we observed used their phone at least once, while one woman was on her device nearly half the time.”
He noted, “Individuals may see others checking their messages and feel prompted to do the same.”
This conclusion serves as a timely reminder for users about their mobile phone habits.
When asked what their findings imply regarding society’s mobile phone usage, Dr. Kruger responded: “We need to get smart about smart phones.”
“They can provide great benefits as a technology, but we must use them judiciously to ensure they do not disrupt our in-person social interactions.”
In the course of the study, students were observed “unobtrusively” while socializing near an unnamed university campus.
Dr. Kruger, affiliated with the university’s School of Public Health, Population Studies Center, and the Institute for Social Research, explained that the findings revealed when one individual in a group utilized their mobile phone, their peers were likely to follow suit shortly after.
“This indicates a pattern of contagion or imitation,” he highlighted, noting that this behavior generally occurred multiple times.
“We carried out this study as part of our efforts to revitalize Human Ethology, which focuses on observing real-life behavior.
“Some of the behavior could stem from individuals being prompted to check their emails or messages, yet this phenomenon of contagious use occurred several times within a 15-minute interaction.”
Dr. Kruger believes this pattern may be associated with the concepts of “social inclusion and exclusion.”
He elaborated: “If one person in a pair participates in an external conversation on their phone, their companion might feel excluded.
“As a result, that companion may feel compelled to reach out to others to avoid feeling left out.”
