Cue-Reactivity, Craving, and Decision Making in Buying Disorder: a Review of the Current Knowledge and Future Directions

Purpose of the Review The current review summarizes the literature for buying disorder (BD) with a focus on addiction-relevant concepts such as craving, executive functions, and decision making. Recent Findings First, studies could demonstrate craving reactions in relationship to BD in both offline and online contexts. Decision-making studies demonstrated disadvantageous decision-making performance in individuals with BD when the outcomes and contingencies of the decision options are unknown (ambiguous risk). In contrast, unimpaired decision making was observed when outcomes and probabilities were explicitly provided (objective risk). Most studies reported normal executive functions in individuals with BD. Summary The findings emphasize the role of craving in the context of BD. Decision-making performance seems to be related to difficulties in emotional processing of negative consequences rather than to executive dysfunctions. The findings are discussed in the context of current models of addiction and decision making. We also suggest an integrative approach for a better understanding of the psychological processes underlying the phenomenon of BD and point out future research directions.