Internet Psychology: The Basics

by Yair Amichai-Hamburger (Author)

We can't imagine our lives without the Internet. It is the tool of our existence; without it we couldn't work, plan our social and leisure activities, and interact with friends. The Internet’s influence on contemporary society extends across every aspect of our personal and professional lives, but how has this altered us in psychological terms? How are we to understand how the Internet can promote enormous amounts of caring and kindness to strangers and yet be the source of unremitting acts of terror?

This book, grounded in the latest cutting-edge research, enhances our understanding of how we, and our children, behave online. It explores questions such as:

Why does our self-control abandon us sometimes on the Internet?
Why does the Internet create a separate realm of social and personal relationships?
How does all that change us as people?
Are youngsters really as exposed and threatened on the web as people think?
Internet Psychology: The Basics is a vital and fascinating guide to the online world, drawing on classic theories of human behaviour to shed fresh light on this central facet of modern life. It argues that, even in an age of constant technological advancement, our understanding of the human psyche remains rooted in these well-established theories. Embracing both positive and negative aspects of Internet use, this easy introduction to the subject will appeal to students and general readers alike.

Review
‘This outstanding book presents an excellent overview of the psychology of the internet, analysing how our notions of anonymity, exposure, control, accessibility and equality will be revolutionalized in an on-line environment. It explains how the digital age will force us to re-think our conventional ideas about romance, relationships, aggression, parenting and group behaviour. The book will be of interest to researchers, students and practitioners not only in psychology, but in all related disciplines as well where the internet changed the way we relate to each other.' - Joseph Paul Forgas, AM, DPhil, DSc. (Oxford), FASSA, Scientia Professor of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia

'In this important new book Yair Amichai-Hamburger demonstrates his encyclopedic knowledge of this fascinating field of modern psychology. With the same deft touch he takes the reader through a bewildering range of topics – illustrating the good (therapy, romance, and volunteering), the bad (violence) and the ugly (hate forums) – that illustrates the all-encompassing effect of the internet on our daily lives.' - Miles Hewstone, Professor of Social Psychology & Public Policy, University of Oxford

About the Author
Yair Amichai-Hamburger is the Director of the Research Centre for Internet Psychology (CIP) in Herzliya, Israel, and a leading industrial consultant in the field. He has written widely on the impact of the Internet on wellbeing, and is credited as being one of the earliest commentators to note the potential power and significance of online social networks. His first book, The Social Net: Human Behaviour in Cyberspace, was published by Oxford University Press in 2005.