Internet Psychology: The Basics

Description

We can't imagine our lives without the Internet. It is the tool of our existence; without it we couldn't work, plan our social and leisure activities, and interact with friends. The Internet’s influence on contemporary society extends across every aspect of our personal and professional lives, but how has this altered us in psychological terms? How are we to understand how the Internet can promote enormous amounts of caring and kindness to strangers and yet be the source of unremitting acts of terror? This book, grounded in the latest cutting-edge research, enhances our understanding of how we, and our children, behave online. It explores questions such as: Why does our self-control abandon us sometimes on the Internet? Why does the Internet create a separate realm of social and personal relationships? How does all that change us as people? Are youngsters really as exposed and threatened on the web as people think? Internet Psychology: The Basics is a vital and fascinating guide to the online world, drawing on classic theories of human behaviour to shed fresh light on this central facet of modern life. It argues that, even in an age of constant technological advancement, our understanding of the human psyche remains rooted in these well-established theories. Embracing both positive and negative aspects of Internet use, this easy introduction to the subject will appeal to students and general readers alike. Cover......Page 1 Half Title......Page 4 Series Information......Page 5 Title Page......Page 6 Copyright Page......Page 7 Dedication......Page 8 Table of Contents......Page 10 Acknowledgments......Page 11 Preface......Page 14 1 Who are we online?......Page 18 Feeling of anonymity......Page 19 Control over level of physical exposure......Page 21 High control over communications......Page 22 Ease in locating like-minded people......Page 23 Accessibility and availability at all times and places......Page 24 Feelings of equality......Page 25 Fun of web surfing......Page 27 Where does this all lead?......Page 28 The flipside: Can things go wrong?......Page 30 References......Page 34 2 Does our personality affect our online behavior?......Page 35 Freud and the Internet: Can the Internet accommodate the toppling of conventions and release of the id?......Page 36 Pros and cons of e-Therapy......Page 40 Who benefits from the Internet?......Page 45 Need for closure......Page 53 Narcissism......Page 54 Attachment theory......Page 56 Sensation-seeking......Page 58 References......Page 59 What is the importance of love in our life?......Page 62 Physiology......Page 64 Commerce......Page 65 Can you find real love online?......Page 66 Intimacy: What happens when we fall in love with a fantasy?......Page 72 Why do we trust people online so speedily?......Page 73 What is the attraction of online love?......Page 75 What are the boundaries of online infidelity?......Page 76 When is it permissible to stretch our personal details?......Page 77 How can we distinguish between real intimacy and public relations?......Page 79 Do more romantic options lead to better decisions?......Page 80 A final word......Page 81 References......Page 82 4 Violence on the Internet......Page 84 How does the Internet encourage aggression?......Page 87 Is anonymity a necessity for aggressive online behavior?......Page 91 Does the Internet turn good people bad?......Page 92 Who are more aggressive online, men or women?......Page 93 How do terrorist organizations use the Internet?......Page 94 Who are the hackers and what makes them tick?......Page 98 What kind of people are hackers?......Page 99 Do real Robin Hood hackers exist?......Page 100 Does the Internet provide a venue for aggression against women?......Page 102 A final word......Page 104 References......Page 105 5 Youth and the Internet: Entering the enchanted forest?......Page 107 From the perspective of children, what are the main advantages of the Internet?......Page 109 What are the pros and cons of Facebook for children?......Page 110 How does online pornography affect children?......Page 113 How does violence in online games affect children?......Page 114 Is it possible to identify a child’s addiction to the Internet?......Page 116 Anorexia and the Internet......Page 117 What is cyberbullying and how does it impact children?......Page 118 How can parents regain influence in the digital world?......Page 121 How can we partake in our children’s online lives?......Page 123 What Internet topics should you discuss with your children?......Page 127 A final word......Page 128 References......Page 129 What did you say?......Page 132 Are groups relevant to the online experience?......Page 133 Partially online groups......Page 134 Groups that exist only online......Page 135 Can we be significant individuals and group members on the Internet simultaneously?......Page 136 What is the minimum condition needed to create a group?......Page 138 Is anonymity likely to eliminate group identity?......Page 139 Are group norms and cultures evident in Internet groups?......Page 140 What is conformity and how is it relevant online?......Page 142 Do online groups tend to move to extreme positions?......Page 144 Do online group members give their best efforts?......Page 145 Do we need leaders online?......Page 147 Can anyone become an online leader?......Page 149 Is charisma relevant to being a leader in the online world?......Page 150 Digital literacy......Page 151 Open communication......Page 152 Task orientation......Page 153 Emotional focus......Page 154 Challenge the paradigms of followers......Page 155 Establishing a culture through the net......Page 156 What are the main hazards facing e-leaders?......Page 158 References......Page 159 7 How can we use the Internet to create a better world?......Page 162 What special advantages does online volunteering offer?......Page 164 Individual level......Page 165 Interpersonal level......Page 167 Group identity......Page 168 Solving the conflict between the desire for autonomy and the need to belong......Page 169 Self-actualization......Page 170 Intergroup conflict: bringing rival groups together......Page 172 How can the Internet play a part in intergroup contact?......Page 175 Online contact between Catholic and Protestant children in Ireland......Page 176 Online contact between Israeli Jewish and Muslim student teachers......Page 177 What happens when online intergroup contact is allowed to run free?......Page 178 Can online games promote better intergroup relations?......Page 179 Identity enrichment......Page 180 Online intergroup role-playing......Page 182 Training online change agents......Page 184 References......Page 185 8 How do we successfully navigate our way through the digital jungle?......Page 188 Individuality......Page 189 Efficiency – time is money......Page 190 Materialism – I am what I can buy......Page 192 Internet of five senses......Page 194 Total documentation of action......Page 195 Lighthouse values......Page 197 How do we overcome communication technology’s hold over our lives and govern its effects?......Page 202 A final word......Page 206 References......Page 207 Glossary......Page 209 Index......Page 211