Psychological aspects of cyberspace: Theory, research, applications

Edited by Azy Barak

Abstract

Hundreds of millions of people across the world use the Internet every day. Its functions vary, from shopping and banking to socializing, dating, and getting help in numerous areas. From a psychological perspective, the Internet has become a major vehicle for interpersonal communication that can significantly affect people’s decisions, behaviors, attitudes, and emotions. Moreover, its existence has created a virtual social environment in which people can meet, negotiate, collaborate, and exchange goods and information. Cyberspace is not just a technical device but a phenomenon that has reduced theworld to a proverbial global village, fostering collaborations and international cooperations, thus reducing the barriers of geographical distance and indigenous cultures. Azy Barak and a team of prominent social scientists review a decade of scientific investigations into the social, behavioral, and psychological aspects of cyberspace, collating stateof-the-art knowledge in each area. Together they develop emerging conceptualizations and envisage directions and applications for future research.

Website

http://www.cambridge.org/uk/catalogue/catalogue.asp?isbn=9780521694643

Contents

List of Tables page ix

List of Figures xi

Preface xiii

List of Contributors xvii

1 Reflections on the Psychology and Social Science of Cyberspac 1

Azy Barak and John Suler

2 Privacy, Trust, and Disclosure Online 13

Carina B. Paine Schofield and Adam N. Joinson

3 Internet Abuse: Emerging Trends and Lingering Questions 32

Janet Morahan-Martin

4 Flow Experience in Cyberspace: Current Studies and Perspectives 70

Alexander E. Voiskounsky

5 Cybertherapeutic Theory and Techniques 102

John Suler

6 Exposure in Cyberspace as Means of Enhancing Psychological Assessment 129

Azy Barak and Liat Hen

7 Down the Rabbit Hole: The Role of Place in the Initiation and Development of Online Relationships 163

Andrea J. Baker

8 The Sexy Side of the Internet: An Examination of Sexual Activities and Materials in Cyberspace 185

Monica T. Whitty and William A. Fisher

9 The Contact Hypothesis Reconsidered: Interacting via Internet: Theoretical and Practical Aspects 209

Yair Amichai-Hamburger

10 Influences on the Nature and Functioning of Online Groups 228

Katelyn Y. A. McKenna (Yael Kaynan)

11 Online Motivational Factors: Incentives for Participation and Contribution in Wikipedia 243

Sheizaf Rafaeli and Yaron Ariel

12How Internet-Mediated Research Changes Science 268

Ulf-Dietrich Reips

Index