Question

How can a website such as a shopping or gambling website encourage compulsive behavior

Answer 1

How on line websites encourage compulsive behavior such as gambling and compulsive shopping?

An estimated 6% of Americans suffer from compulsive shopping who are commonly known as shopaholics. This behavior is similar to substance abuse and gambling.

Compulsive shopping or gambling is a pleasure seeking behavior or an escape from certain feelings and emotions.

Compulsive behavior is kept in check in social situations to a certain extend by individuals who are suffering from it. There would be intervention from close people in the case if it gets noted.

For people who suffer from it, on line websites are offering more destructive opportunities. More people are turning to on line shopping , so more compulsive buyers are introduced to on line websites. Ads by the websites lure customers to buy. While normal customers can hold their behavior in check the compulsive buyers cannot curb their desire to buy.

• On line websites offer anonymity.
• On line ads lure customers.
• The opportunity to experience instant gratification.
• Buy anonymously.
• There is constant availability of different categories of products.
• Can avoid social interaction.
• Easy availability and shop from home.

Because this immediate availability of contents at the touch of a button means that the individual never get a chance to review his or her decisions. And the lack of social interaction mean that these individuals spend most of the time on line increasing the chance of more compulsive buying.

The problems with on line gamblers are not very different from on line compulsive shoppers. Both are an addiction. To a gambler the opportunity to gamble is his proximity is enough motivate him to try to seek more pleasure out of gambling.

On the Internet the gamblers are not just facing their own desires but also the persuasive ads that constantly strike their eyes.

On line websites creates easy of availability, easy access and constant distraction. All these would work against compulsive shoppers and gamblers.