Psychology of Cyberspace - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

lktknow · 02-09-2008, 08:08 AM

I did a "search" to see if any part of this site may have already been presented here in TFP, but came up with nothing specifically about it.
I came across it a couple of years ago, and personally found it fascinating.
It is written by a Dr John Suler, from Rider University in 1999, I believe.

This is the home page:
http://www.psicopolis.com/psicopedia.../psycyber.html

he gets into computer addiction here:
http://www.psicopolis.com/psicopedia.../psycyber.html
here is a part of it:

Computer and Cyberspace
Addiction
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A heated debate is rising among psychologists. With the explosion of excitement about the internet, some people seem to be a bit too excited. Some people spend way too much time there. Is this yet ANOTHER type of addiction that has invaded the human psyche?
Psychologists are not even sure yet what to call this phenomenon. Some label it an "Internet Addiction Disorder." But many people are addicted to their computers long before the internet enters their lives. Some people are extremely attached to their computer and don't even care about the internet. Perhaps we should call the phenomenon a "Computer Addiction." Also, let's not forget the very powerful, but now seemingly mundane and almost accepted addiction that some people develop to video games. Video games are computers too... very single-minded computers, but computers nevertheless. Or how about telephones? People get addicted to those too, and not just the sex lines. Like computers, telephones are a technologically enhanced form of communication and may fall into the category of "computer mediated communication" (aka, CMC) - as the researchers are dubbing internet activities. In the not too distant future, computer, telephone, and video technology may very well merge into one, perhaps highly addictive, beast.

Perhaps, on a broad level, it makes sense to talk about a "Cyberspace Addiction" - an addiction to virtual realms of experience created through computer engineering. Within this broad category, there may be subtypes with distinct differences. A teenager who plays hooky from school in order to master the next level of Donkey Kong may be a very different person than the middle aged housewife who spends $500 a month in AOL chat rooms - who in turn may be very different from the businessman who can't tear himself away from his finance programs and continuous internet access to stock quotes. Some cyberspace addictions are game and competition oriented, some fulfill more social needs, some simply may be an extension of workaholicism. Then again, these differences may be superficial.

Not many people are waving their fingers and fists in the air about video and work addictions. Not many newspaper articles are written about these topics either. They are passé issues. The fact that the media is turning so much attention to cyberspace and internet addictions may simply reflect the fact that this is a new and hot topic. It may also indicate some anxiety among people who really don't know what the internet is, even though everyone is talking about it. Ignorance tends to breed fear and the need to devalue.

Nevertheless, some people are definitely hurting themselves by their addiction to computers and cyberspace. When people lose their jobs, or flunk out of school, or are divorced by their spouses because they cannot resist devoting all of their time to virtual lands, they are pathologically addicted. These extreme cases are clear cut. But as in all addictions, the problem is where to draw the line between "normal" enthusiasm and "abnormal" preoccupation.

talks about identity management in cyberspace here:
http://www.psicopolis.com/psicopedia...itymanage.html

there is even an online lingo dictionary available.

Sion · 02-09-2008, 03:18 PM

you'll take my internet from me when you pry it out of my cold dead hands

Willravel · 02-09-2008, 04:02 PM

Freedom doesn't come without responsibility. The internet is probably the most free thing in human history. Let's be responsible about it.

02-09-2008, 08:08 AM	#1 (permalink)
lktknow Insane Location: here&there	Psychology of Cyberspace I did a "search" to see if any part of this site may have already been presented here in TFP, but came up with nothing specifically about it. I came across it a couple of years ago, and personally found it fascinating. It is written by a Dr John Suler, from Rider University in 1999, I believe. This is the home page: http://www.psicopolis.com/psicopedia.../psycyber.html he gets into computer addiction here: http://www.psicopolis.com/psicopedia.../psycyber.html here is a part of it: Computer and Cyberspace Addiction -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A heated debate is rising among psychologists. With the explosion of excitement about the internet, some people seem to be a bit too excited. Some people spend way too much time there. Is this yet ANOTHER type of addiction that has invaded the human psyche? Psychologists are not even sure yet what to call this phenomenon. Some label it an "Internet Addiction Disorder." But many people are addicted to their computers long before the internet enters their lives. Some people are extremely attached to their computer and don't even care about the internet. Perhaps we should call the phenomenon a "Computer Addiction." Also, let's not forget the very powerful, but now seemingly mundane and almost accepted addiction that some people develop to video games. Video games are computers too... very single-minded computers, but computers nevertheless. Or how about telephones? People get addicted to those too, and not just the sex lines. Like computers, telephones are a technologically enhanced form of communication and may fall into the category of "computer mediated communication" (aka, CMC) - as the researchers are dubbing internet activities. In the not too distant future, computer, telephone, and video technology may very well merge into one, perhaps highly addictive, beast. Perhaps, on a broad level, it makes sense to talk about a "Cyberspace Addiction" - an addiction to virtual realms of experience created through computer engineering. Within this broad category, there may be subtypes with distinct differences. A teenager who plays hooky from school in order to master the next level of Donkey Kong may be a very different person than the middle aged housewife who spends $500 a month in AOL chat rooms - who in turn may be very different from the businessman who can't tear himself away from his finance programs and continuous internet access to stock quotes. Some cyberspace addictions are game and competition oriented, some fulfill more social needs, some simply may be an extension of workaholicism. Then again, these differences may be superficial. Not many people are waving their fingers and fists in the air about video and work addictions. Not many newspaper articles are written about these topics either. They are passé issues. The fact that the media is turning so much attention to cyberspace and internet addictions may simply reflect the fact that this is a new and hot topic. It may also indicate some anxiety among people who really don't know what the internet is, even though everyone is talking about it. Ignorance tends to breed fear and the need to devalue. Nevertheless, some people are definitely hurting themselves by their addiction to computers and cyberspace. When people lose their jobs, or flunk out of school, or are divorced by their spouses because they cannot resist devoting all of their time to virtual lands, they are pathologically addicted. These extreme cases are clear cut. But as in all addictions, the problem is where to draw the line between "normal" enthusiasm and "abnormal" preoccupation. talks about identity management in cyberspace here: http://www.psicopolis.com/psicopedia...itymanage.html there is even an online lingo dictionary available. __________________ Never give up on something that you can’t go a day without thinking about. ~ Last edited by lktknow; 02-09-2008 at 08:10 AM..

02-09-2008, 03:18 PM	#2 (permalink)
Sion Dumb all over...a little ugly on the side Location: In the room where the giant fire puffer works, and the torture never stops.	you'll take my internet from me when you pry it out of my cold dead hands __________________ He's the best, of course, of all the worst. Some wrong been done, he done it first. -fz I jus' want ta thank you...falettinme...be mice elf...agin...

02-09-2008, 04:02 PM	#3 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	Freedom doesn't come without responsibility. The internet is probably the most free thing in human history. Let's be responsible about it.