Email is addictive because it is
a variable-interval reinforcement schedule
a variable-interval reinforcement schedule
We’re animals – we have animal brains. All animal brains have the circuitry in place for producing operant conditioning. It’s a fundamental psychological process, and just the sort that can create behaviours what operate automatically, or in spite of our consciously telling ourselves we should do otherwise.
Story at MindHacks
via Preoccupations