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 recent 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 21 chapters.

Part 1 Introduction

1. Introduction to cyberpsychology (Gráinne Kirwan)
2. Conducting online research (Brendan Rooney)

Part 2 Human interactions online

3. Computer Mediated Communication and online media (Gráinne Kirwan)
4. Self and identity in cyberspace (Irene Connolly)
5. The dark side of the Internet (Hannah Barton)
6. Love and relationships online (Nicola Fox Hamiliton)
7. Attention and distraction online (John Greaney)
8. The dynamics of groups online (Olivia Hurley)
9. Persuasion and compliance in cyberspace (Hannah Barton)
10. Privacy and trust online (Gráinne Kirwan)

Part 3 Applied cyberpsychology

11. Forensic cyberpsychology (Gráinne Kirwan)
12. Abnormal cyberpsychology and cybertherapy (Cliona Flood)
13. Sport and health cyberpsychology (Olivia Hurley)
14. The online workplace (Cliona Flood)
15. The Internet as an educational space (Marion Palmer)
16. Consumer cyberpsychology and online marketing (Nicola Fox Hamilton)
17. Young people and the Internet (Irene Connolly)

Part 4 Psychology and technology

18. Human–Computer Interaction (Andrew Errity)
19. Gaming (Andrew Errity, Brendan Rooney and Conall Tunney)
20. Psychological applications of Virtual Reality (Gráinne Kirwan)
21. The psychology of Artificial Intelligence (Gráinne Kirwan)