Chapter 1 – Introduction to Cyberpsychology
Chapter Summary
Overview
- Cyberpsychology is a relatively new field in applied psychology.
- There is an increasing amount of research and writing in the area.
- While the most commonly studied technology in the field is the Internet, cyberpsychology also encompasses human interactions with other technologies, such as mobile computing, gaming, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence.
Cyberpsychology: A Brief Synopsis
- Cyberpsychology generally encompasses three main aspects:
- How we interact with others using technology.
- How we develop technology to best fit our requirements and desires.
- How our behaviour and psychological states can be affected by technologies.
- There are many areas of research within cyberpsychology, including topics such as online hostility, privacy management, impression management, online dating, social media, linguistics, work psychology, health psychology, consumer behaviour online, well-being, and cybercrime.
- An important development has been the inclusion of “Internet Gaming Disorder” as a phenomenon which requires further research within the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 5th edition, in 2013.
- While cyberpsychology has examined the potential applications of virtual reality for some time, this has become a topic of increasing interest as consumer-oriented versions of such devices become available.
- Human behaviour while interacting with artificial intelligence is also of interest within cyberpsychology, particularly in relation to companionship.
Cyberpsychology Journals, Conferences, and Research Groups
- While cyberpsychology is a relatively new field, there are many journals and conferences which focus on cyberpsychology specifically, or Internet-based sociological research in a broader sense.
- There are also many research groups in the field, as well as academic courses on offer by higher educational institutions.
Aims and Structure of the Book
- This book aims to provide readers with an introduction to the field of cyberpsychology.
- It particularly focuses on applied aspects of the field.
- Each chapter includes additional resources within the book itself, as well as online resources.
- The book comprises four main sections, with a total of 22 chapters.
Part 1 Introduction
1 Introduction to Cyberpsychology (Dr. Gráinne Kirwan)
2 Conducting Pnline Research (Dr. Brendan Rooney)
Part 2 Human Interaction Online
- Computer-Mediated Communication and Online Media (Dr. Gráinne Kirwan)
- Self and Identity in Cyberspace (Dr. Irene Connolly)
- The Dark Side of the Internet (Hannah Barton)
- Love and Relationships Pnline(Dr. Nicola Fox Hamilton)
- Attention and Distraction Online (Dr. John Greaney and Dr. Emma Mathias)
- The Dynamics of Groups Online (Dr. Olivia Hurley)
- Persuasion and Compliance in Cyberspace (Hannah Barton)
- Privacy and Trust Online (Dr. Gráinne Kirwan)
Part 3 Applied Cyberpsychology
- Forensic Cyberpsychology (Dr. Gráinne Kirwan)
- Cyberpsychology and Psychopathology (Cliona Flood and Dr. Audrey Stenson)
- Sport and Health Cyberpsychology (Dr. Olivia Hurley)
- The Online Workplace (Cliona Flood and Dr. Audrey Stenson)
- The Internet as an Educational Space (Dr. Marion Palmer)
- Consumer Cyberpsychology and Online Marketing (Dr. Nicola Fox Hamilton)
- Young People and the Internet (Dr. Irene Connolly)
Part 4 Psychology and Technology
- Human–Computer Interaction (Dr. Andrew Errity)
- Gaming (David Hayes, Dr. Andrew Errity, Dr. Conall Tunney, and Dr. Brendan Rooney)
- Psychological Applications of Virtual Reality (Dr. Gráinne Kirwan)
- The Psychology of Artificial Intelligence (Dr. Gráinne Kirwan)
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Chapter 1 – Useful Websites
The “Cyberpsychology Section” of the British Psychological Society includes a wide array of information about news, events, courses, careers, and other resources.
Division 46 of the American Psychological Association is the Society for Media Psychology & Technology. Their website includes interesting information about all aspects of media psychology:
The Association of Internet Researchers is an interdisciplinary organisation which holds annual conferences and publishes documents regarding the ethics of online research:
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Chapter 1 – Further Reading
The British Psychological Society has published a set of guidelines for the ethical conduction of Internet-mediated research. Any individuals planning to complete research in cyberpsychology should review these as early as possible into their studies.
Cyberpsychology: The Journal of Psychosocial Research on Cyberspace is an online peer-reviewed journal with many open access articles which may be useful for further study in this field.
It is helpful also to keep an eye on some of the research groups in the area to see what the current topics of interest are. For example, consider visiting the following:
- Cyberpsychology Research at the University of Wolverhampton (CRUW)
- Oxford Internet Institute
- University College Dublin (UCD) Media and Entertainment Psychology Lab
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Chapter 1 – Audio and video links
Audio links
In a field such as cyberpsychology, it is important to stay current in terms of emerging technologies and trends. There are numerous podcasts that you can subscribe to which can help with this, with some particularly interesting ones including:
- BBC Radio 5 live “Let’s Talk About Tech” features news on technology and gaming: www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/jot
- BBC World Service “Click” examines how technology affects our lives: www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/digitalp
Dr. Nicola Fox Hamilton wrote and narrated an audiobook on the “Psychology of Online Behaviour” which is available via Audible.
Video
Dr. Alison Attrill-Smith, Senior Lecturer at the University of Wolverhampton gave a fascinating lecture on “Debunking the Myth: Extending Cyberpsychology Beyond Freud”, which is available via the link:
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Chapter 1 – Essay questions
- How has cyberpsychology incorporated aspects of other branches of psychology when explaining human interaction with technology?
- Of the three main aspects of cyberpsychology, which has the most relevance to our daily lives, and which should most future research be focused on? Why?
- The most important aspects of cyberpsychology are those which focus on the branches of applied psychology. Discuss.
- Are our lives better or worse as a result of Internet technologies? What elements of these technologies lead you to your response?