The Relationship between Economic Consequences and Psychological Motivations of Addictive Consumption Behavior of Virtual Goods

Abstract

Against the backdrop of rapid technological development in contemporary times, addictive consumption behavior of virtual goods has become increasingly prominent, drawing widespread attention from society to the psychological motivations of consumers and the economic consequences. This article, by reviewing relevant domestic and foreign literature, first analyzes the economic consequences of addictive consumption of virtual goods, including individual financial loss of control, consumption regret, as well as social consumption structure imbalance and platform responsibility disputes. Then, it explores the psychological motivations behind this behavior, clarifying its correlation with individual lack of self-regulation ability, activation of the dopamine reward mechanism, emotional regulation motives, and personality trait differences. At the individual level, addictive consumption leads to financial strain, psychological stress, and impaired self-regulation, often driven by mechanisms such as dopamine reward and emotional avoidance. Socially, it contributes to structural imbalances in consumption patterns, diverting resources excessively toward virtual goods and increasing public costs related to familial and legal disputes. This article highlights limitations in current research, and provides a foundation for interdisciplinary approaches, platform accountability, and policy intervention--ultimately aiming to promote sustainable consumption behavior.