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Purpose of Study
The current study is an update of the cell phone study of Hudiburg, Jefcoat, & Alred (2002) present at the 79th annual meeting of AAS. That study was based on data collected in 2001. There have been some changes in cell phone users. In 1985 there were 340,000 users, in 2001 129 million users, and in 2006 an estimated 200 million users in the United States. Worldwide the estimate is over 2 billion uers. Increase variety of cell phone contracts, including: rollover minutes, free on network calls and family plans. Increase number of cell phone features: cameras, internet, and MP3 players. Possible change is interpersonal behavior related to cell phone use behavior. Academic issues are a concern with cell phones in the classroom (disturbances, tests).
Design of Study
A questionnaire was developed with assistance of undergraduate Research Team. The questionnaire was available on-line to anonymous cell phone users:
http://www2.una.edu/psychology/onlinestudy.htm
Questionnaire sought background information of cell phone users, cell phone features questions, cell phone use activity, cell phone use behaviors, situations of cell phone use, moods related to cell phone use, cell phone use attitudes, and other cell phone use behaviors. Psychological scales included that measured self-esteem, self-monitoring, need for affiliation, and personality dimensions (the big five). Only students enrolled at University of North Alabama were participants. Data presented are preliminary and doesnt include the analysis of the psychological scales.
Preliminary Results
N = 117 Students (2 week data capture) Age M = 23.17 years (SD=5.92) Male 17.2% Female 82.1%
Freshman Sophomore Junior Senior Graduate 20.5% 17.1% 23.1% 26.5% 11.1% International Student: Yes 3.4% No 94.9%
13.7
35.9
36.8
10.3
1.7
86.3
88.0 58.1 11.1 74.4 1.7
Practic ally never
5.1
4.3 25.6 18.8 10.3 1.7
Once in a great while
2.6
2.6 12.8 35.0 12.0 19.7
Sometimes
0.9
0.9 0.0 18.8 2.6 24.8
Fairly often
3.4
2.6 0.9 15.4 0.0 51.3
Very often
3.4
6.8
26.5
23.9
37.6
34.2
92.2 17.9 47.9 70.9 30.8
Practic ally never
29.9
6.0 29.9 14.5 17.1 29.9
Once in a great while
20.5
0.9 42.7 15.4 7.7 27.4
Sometimes
10.3
0.0 4.3 12.8 2.6 6.0
Fairly often
3.4
0.9 4.3 8.5 0.9 5.1
Very often
6.8
6.0
29.1
25.6
31.6
7.7
1.7
12.0
3.4
29.1
19.7
29.1
29.9
21.4
44.4
2.6
6.0 15.4
9.4
14.5 12.0
35.9
35.9 26.5
29.1
23.1 22.2
21.4
19.7 21.4
20.5
17.1
29.9
16.2
15.4
I believe that cell phone use may one day be discovered to cause brain cancer. I believe that I am safer with a cell phone. I believe that use of a cell phone fulfills my need to be in contact with people. I believe that I function effectively as a person with my cell phone. I believe that cell phone accessories are important. I believe I would be lost without my cell phone.
18.8
27.4
31.6
18.8
0.0
0.0 1.7
3.4 17.9
5.4 20.5
47.0 36.8
31.6 20.5
3.4
4.3
23.1
50.4
16.2
16.2
30.8
32.5
12.0
5.1
12.0
26.5
12.8
29.1
17.1
I believe talking on cell phone while driving interferes with driving. I believe talking on cell phone while driving is more distracting than tuning a car radio/CD player/MP3 player. I believe talking on cell phone while driving is more distracting than eating or drinking behind the wheel. I believe talking on cell phone while driving increases the risk of an accident. I believe talking on cell phone while driving using a handheld cell must be banned. I believe all types of talking on cell phone while driving must be banned.
5.1
11.1 12.0
12.8
26.5 39.3
25.6
17.1 9.7
38.5
30.8 23.1
14.5
11.1 3.4
Cell Phone Use Behavior: Attitudes about Use (%) Seo & Torabi (2004) study N = 1185
Strongly disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly agree
I believe talking on cell phone while driving interferes with driving. I believe talking on cell phone while driving is more distracting than tuning a car radio/CD player/MP3 player. I believe talking on cell phone while driving is more distracting than eating or drinking behind the wheel. I believe talking on cell phone while driving increases the risk of an accident. I believe talking on cell phone while driving using a handheld cell must be banned. I believe all types of talking on cell phone while driving must be banned.
2.0
4.0 6.0
10.0
26.0 39.0
20.0
21.0 23.0
53.0
34.0 22.0
15.0
14.0 10.0
If you are sitting alone in a public 1.7 place how likely would you use your cell phone? If you are sitting alone in a public 26.5 place how likely are you to use your cell phones entertainment functions to keep busy?
11.1
29.9
29.1
25.6
12.0
8.2
17.1
13.7
When answering your cell phone 10.3 what is the likelihood you use your THUMB? When dialing your cell phone 6.0 what is the likelihood you use your THUMB? When text messaging what is the 12.8 likelihood you use your THUMB?
6.0
6.8
8.5
65.8
5.1
3.4
7.7
75.2
3.4
3.4
3.4
73.5
Discussion
Current results are similar to those found by Hudiburg et al. (2002). Most common use of cell phone is for safety, causal conversation, and convenience. More likely to make a cell phone call when bored, upset, and excited. More likely to answer a cell phone call when bored, excited, happy, lonely, and afraid. Most commonly surf the Internet while talking on cell phone. Most agree that a cell phone makes one effective, fulfils needs, and safer. Inconsistency between attitudes and behavior related to cell phone use while driving a car. Slight decrease in the use of the thumb in answering cell phone compared to 2001 (74% v. 86%).
Conclusions
This study is ongoing and data collection will continue for another month. Analysis of psychological variables when data collection is completed should reveal some interesting relationships between cell phone use behavior and self-esteem, self-monitoring, need for affiliation, and personality dimensions (the big five). Undergraduate Research Team includes UNA Psychology students: Mary Brasseale, Shawn Geron, Derek Green, Jennifer Skowron, Jeannie Swann, Melonee Tubb, and Oscar White.
References
Hudiburg, R., Jefcoat, G. & Alred, M. (2002). "Cellular telephone use and the need for affiliation: a preliminary study." Alabama Academy of Science, 79th annual meeting, University of West Alabama, Livingston, AL. March, 2002. Seo, D. & Torabi, M. R. (2004). The Impact of In-Vehicle CellPhone Use on Accidents or Near accidents among Collage Students. Journal of American College Health, 53, 101-107.