compulsion loop

English

Noun

compulsion loop (plural compulsion loops)

1. (psychology) A habitual chain of activities, for example in a video game, that yields a neurochemical reward such as the release of dopamine.

   Synonym: core loop

   • 2022, Carl D. Marci, Rewired: Protecting Your Brain in the Digital Age, Harvard University Press, →ISBN, page 191:

     The classic compulsion loop is designed to either relieve some stress or trigger some reward, or both. Almost all video games are based on compulsion loops.