Measuring cue-elicited responding in the context of gaming and online shopping: Validity and reliability of a short Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer paradigm

Abstract

Abstract Cue-elicited habits are considered relevant in the development and maintenance of addictive behaviors. To investigate this mechanism in online shopping and gaming, this study developed and evaluated a short Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer (PIT) paradigm with gaming- and shopping-related cues and a devaluation procedure. Additionally, the retest reliability of this short PIT paradigm was assessed. A sample with game use ( N  = 32) and a sample with use of shopping websites ( N  = 31) performed the PIT paradigm twice and an Approach-Avoidance Task in between. During both sessions of the PIT paradigm, either the gaming- or shopping-related reward (depending on the sample) was devalued by eliminating its availability. While gaming-related cues enhanced responding for the gaming-related reward (gaming PIT effect), shopping-related cues triggered responding for the shopping-related reward (shopping PIT effect). This cue-elicited responding was reduced, but not eliminated, after devaluation, which might indicate habit-like responding. Furthermore, subgroup analyses revealed similar responding towards cues displaying favorite and non-favorite games/shopping websites. The magnitudes of the PIT effects demonstrated moderate stability. Although replication in clinical samples and over longer time intervals is warranted, our PIT paradigm may enable a reliable and economic assessment of cue-elicited responding in the context of gaming and online shopping.