Please do not leave this page until complete. This can take a few moments.
If you can’t help but look at your cell phone right away when a text message pops up, even when driving, it may be because of brain chemistry, according to a UConn researcher’s study commissioned by AT&T.
David Greenfield, a licensed psychologist and an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at the UConn School of Medicine, found that 75 percent of people admit to at least glancing at their phones when driving.
Greenfield, who heads UConn’s Center for Internet Technology and Addiction, said the urge to look is caused by a release of the brain chemical dopamine, which creates a feeling of happiness.
It’s the same sort of brain chemistry that happens when someone takes amphetamines, cocaine or nicotine.
Greenfield’s study said that 90 percent of phone users know texting and driving is dangerous, but rationalize the behavior, which is a classic sign of addiction.
AT&T commissioned the study as a part of its public outreach campaign titled “Texting & Driving…It Can Wait.” The campaign is trying to get phone users to adopt the social media shorthand ‘#X’ to alert texters that they are about to drive and won’t be available.
The company is promoting its DriveMode iPhone app, which silences incoming texts and auto-responds to the sender that the recipient is driving.
The app has been downloaded more than 1.8 million times, according to AT&T.
The Hartford Business Journal 2025 Charity Event Guide is the annual resource publication highlighting the top charity events in 2025.
Learn moreHartford Business Journal provides the top coverage of news, trends, data, politics and personalities of the area’s business community. Get the news and information you need from the award-winning writers at HBJ. Don’t miss out - subscribe today.
SubscribeDelivering vital marketplace content and context to senior decision-makers throughout Connecticut ...
All Year Long!
The Hartford Business Journal 2025 Charity Event Guide is the annual resource publication highlighting the top charity events in 2025.
Hartford Business Journal provides the top coverage of news, trends, data, politics and personalities of the area’s business community. Get the news and information you need from the award-winning writers at HBJ. Don’t miss out - subscribe today.
Delivering vital marketplace content and context to senior decision-makers throughout Connecticut ...
All Year Long!
In order to use this feature, we need some information from you. You can also login or register for a free account.
By clicking submit you are agreeing to our cookie usage and Privacy Policy
Already have an account? Login
Already have an account? Login
Want to create an account? Register
In order to use this feature, we need some information from you. You can also login or register for a free account.
By clicking submit you are agreeing to our cookie usage and Privacy Policy
Already have an account? Login
Already have an account? Login
Want to create an account? Register
This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Our privacy policy
To ensure the best experience on our website, articles cannot be read without allowing cookies. Please allow cookies to continue reading. Our privacy policy
0 Comments