Addiction is marked by repeating a series of behaviors in spite of the potential physical or mental consequences. Non-substance addiction is not affected by the varied impacts of exogenous substances on different brain regions, providing an ideal model for researching the emergence and development of addiction’s basic mechanism. Comparative studies of substance and non-substance addiction are helpful in revealing the common basis of addiction development. This article explores this topic from a psychological perspective, touching upon sensation seeking, inhibitory control, attentional bias, intertemporal choice, and environment. A review of the existing literature points to the value of future research to propose a biopsychosocial model of addiction and consider addiction’s effect on basic cognitive and neurological functioning.