The Psychology of the Internet

This timely volume explores the psychological aspects of cyberspace, a virtual world in which people from around the globe are acting and interacting in many new, unusual, and occasionally alarming ways. Drawing on research in the social sciences, communications, business, and other fields, the book examines how the online environment can influence the way we behave, sometimes for the better, sometimes not. Our own on-line behavior then becomes part of the Internet’s psychological environment for others, creating opportunities for shaping the way this new territory for human interaction is unfolding. Because the Internet - and our experience within it - is still young, we have a rare window of opportunity to influence the course of its development. This new edition contains the latest coverage of ecommerce, exploring how it influences online behavior. It also covers workplace surveillance and datamining, indicating how they affect trust.

• Explores how the online world affects our behavior • Looks ahead to the future of the internet • New up-to-date preface added

1. The internet in a psychological context; 2. Your online persona: the psychology of impression formation; 3. Online masks and masquerades; 4. Group dynamics in cyberspace; 5. Group conflict and cooperation; 6. Flaming and fighting: the psychology of aggression on the net; 7. Liking and loving on the net: the psychology on interpersonal attraction; 8. Psychological aspects of internet pornography; 9. The internet as time sink; 10. Altruism on the net: the psychology of helping; 11. Gender issues on the net; 12. Nurturing life on the internet.

Reviews of hardback: ‘A refreshingly level-headed survey.’ The Guardian

‘ … fascinating …’. The Independent