Psychological Aspects of Cyberspace
Author | : Azy Barak |
Publisher | : Cambridge University Press |
Total Pages | : 336 |
Release | : 2008-04-28 |
ISBN-10 | : 0521694647 |
ISBN-13 | : 9780521694643 |
Rating | : 4/5 (47 Downloads) |
Book excerpt: Hundreds of millions of people across the world use the Internet every day. Its functions vary, from shopping and banking to chatting and dating. 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 which has reduced the world 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 state-of-the-art knowledge in each area. Together they develop emerging conceptualizations and envisage directions and applications for future research.