In the United States, almost 312 million individuals own a smartphone device, with the number of users projected to rise each year (Statista, 2023). Throughout their life, these individuals may be separated from their smartphones for a variety of reasons. During these instances of separation, individuals often experience a state of heightened anxiety, termed nomophobia. This smartphone separation induced nomophobia is associated with impairment on a variety of cognitive tasks, specifically those requiring executive function skills such as inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility. While prior research establishes a pattern of behavioral impairments during these tasks, no research has investigated the neurocognitive changes that underlie these behavioral impairments. This dissertation uses electroencephalography (EEG) to examine the potential neurocognitive changes underlying smartphone separation, hypothesizing that separation will affect four distinct neural markers (P2, P3, N2, ERN). To test these hypotheses, 40 undergraduate students completed two executive function tasks– an inhibitory control (Stroop) task and a cognitive flexibility (color-shape switching) task– on separate days of smartphone separation and smartphone possession, all while undergoing EEG recording. Results indicated that the tasks functioned as expected, however there was no effect of smartphone separation on either behavioral performance or neural markers. Rationales behind why the separation manipulation within this dissertation failed are discussed alongside limitations and future directions. Overall, this dissertation is the first to investigate smartphone separation on a neuroimaging level, providing insights for researchers exploring the neurocognitive implications of smartphone separation and guidance for educational policies on smartphone bans.
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