A recent survey conducted on campus has shown that 32 percent of Stanford undergrad iPhone users are concerned about becoming “one of those iPhone people.”
You know who you are.
Apple’s iPhone has made quite the splash in our tech-savvy, Silicon Valley campus, with several courses specifically devoted to the creation of apps. As a result, iPhone addicts abound.
“Practically everyone in my dorm has one,” said Annie Smartt ‘13. “I have had my iPhone for three years now, and it has become like a third arm for me. I rely on it completely. It is the only reason why I am not overwhelmed by the massive amounts of Stanford e-mails.”
This reliance on the device has not gone unnoticed by psychology researchers.
Tanya Luhrmann, a Stanford professor in both the anthropology and psychology departments, found a curious relationship between students and their iPhones as illustrated by a May 2009 survey done by her graduate Research Methods class. The questions were based on extensive interviews with 200 randomly selected undergraduates and graduate users of iPhones.
According to the results of the survey, 24 percent of students said that the iPhone seemed like an extension of their brain or being, 75 percent said that they had fallen asleep with their iPhone in their bed and seven percent admitted to having a roommate or partner express abandonment as a result of their iPhone use (i.e. called themselves an “iPhone widow.”)
“People with iPhones get very, very attached,” Luhrmann said. “They describe themselves as addicted, and they exhibit […] anthropomorphism — they sometime pat and name their phone, even though they don’t always admit it on a survey.”
Molly Spaeth ‘11, who has written for The Daily, doesn’t consider herself a die-hard iPhone addict, but she knows the telltale signs. And she’s guilty of some of them.
“I feel like my iPhone has contributed to the ease in which I maneuver new situations,” Spaeth said, citing her use of Google maps. “I know what those iPhone people look like because I’ve seem them on their iPhones. And I do not consider myself that kind of iPhone user.”
But Spaeth has some common iPhone addiction symptoms. Exhibit A: a desire to name her iPhone. She had, as of this interview, tentatively settled on either Giselle or Manzana.
“I like that I am part of the population that uses the iPhone because we can bond over the ‘Bump’ app,” she added.
But, of course, there still is a large population of Stanford students without iPhones. Among the iPhone-less, some students have developed their own vernacular for poking fun at iPhone users. Some have taken a subtle approach, signing their e-mails off with a simple sting: “Sent from your iPhone.” Others have opted for sharper jabs: “Sent while iRate,” “Sent while on iBuprofen” or “Sent after watching your mom’s face iMplode.”
“I think if you’re at that point where you’re worried about becoming addicted [to your iPhone], it’s too late,” said iPhone user Krista Doersch ‘11.
One sign of addiction, she continued, could be using the iPhone when more interactive social behavior seems to be required.
“It’s not that hard to be a normal person and not use it all the time, but so many people pull out their iPhones to avoid weird situations,” she said.
Spaeth agreed that iPhone use seems to have a positive correlation with awkward settings.
“It’s a tool to use in situations where the [iPhone users] feel uncomfortable,” Spaeth said. “Instead of addressing said situation, they turn to their iPhone as a distraction, like the people at parties who play games on their iPhones instead of interacting with actual human beings.”
iPhone owner Cameron Poter ‘11 had his own take on what constitutes an iPhone addiction.
“When you find yourself sliding your fingers across the air — as you would when trying to change screens on an iPhone — in public, when trying to remove yourself from an awkward situation, you’re iPhone addicted,” he said.
But beyond their function as social lifeboats and organizational tools, iPhones are just plain cool.
“I actually try to use it for productive things; the iPhone is great for using applications like Yelp or for getting directions while on the road,” Doersch said. “But I do play Sudoku and Unblock Me, and it’s great for texting in class.”
And in many respects, the iPhone has definite Stanford-specific perks.
“As a freshman, the iStanford app is crucial to finding all my classes and the right buildings,” said Victoria Kennedy ‘13. “And it’s easy to get and send e-mails, which helps so much for class while on the go.”