The Psychology of the Internet [Paperback]

For Internet veterans, communicating by e-mail and arguing in newsgroups seem perfectly natural. Step back from the keyboard, though, and you might see some merit in Patricia Wallace's thesis that the Net "is a place where we humans are acting and interacting rather strangely at times". Her book explores on-line behaviours, mixing academic research and anecdote to create explanations that are both credible and accessible.

Despite the all-encompassing title, The Psychology of the Internet only deals with technologies that enable Net users to communicate directly: e-mail, newsgroups, chat and MUD-type environments (virtual worlds where people can experiment with alternative personas). The Web gets mentioned in passing, chiefly as a repository for personal home pages, but if you are a Web designer wanting to know how people feel about colour schemes or navigation tools, you've come to the wrong book.

Wallace starts by looking at on-line identities and group dynamics, then considers specific activities such as flaming (arguments), romance, addiction and altruism. A chapter on pornography avoids sensationalism, but ends weakly with, "We know too little about pornography on the Internet--who uses it and how it affects them--to draw any firm conclusions yet". There is also a chapter on gender issues.

You don't need a background in psychology or a wealth of technical expertise to get something from this book. It will make you think twice about the next e-mail you type and throw some light on your experiences, but there are no great revelations. Wallace just tells it as it is, moderately and sensibly. --Mary Lojkine --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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

' … fascinating …'. The Independent

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

' … fascinating …'. The Independent --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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.

This volume delves into the psychological aspects of the virtual world to understand why humans often behave differently in cyberspace, compared to the way they do in 'real life'.