Description

Book Synopsis
CYBERPSYCHOLOGY

An important new textbook for an exciting area of contemporary psychological study and research...

The field of cyberpsychology examines the psychology of interactions between individuals, societies and digital technologies. This engaging and accessible textbook offers a complete introduction to the subject. The authors outline key theories, provide critical assessments, identify areas in need of further research, and discuss ways to use digital technologies as a research tool. They also include a wealth of real life examples, activities and discussion questions for students at undergraduate and graduate levels.

Cyberpsychology provides up-to-date coverage of a wide range of topics relating to online behaviour, and considers the potential impact of these interactions offline:

  • online identity
  • online dating and relationships
  • pornography
  • cyberbullying
  • children''s use of the Inter

    Table of Contents

    List of Tables, Figures and Boxes x

    Chapter 1 Introduction 1

    Chapter 2 The 'Self' in Cyberspace 9

    2.1 Defining the 'Self' 9

    2.2 The self in cyberspace 13

    2.3 Disembodied selves in cyberspace 13

    2.4 The cyborg self 16

    2.5 Goffman: Performing self online 17

    2.6 Possible selves in cyberspace 18

    2.7 Social identities in cyberspace 19

    2.8 Visually anonymous? 20

    2.9 Conclusions 21

    Chapter 3 Online Relationships 23

    3.1 Traditional relationships: Offline realm 23

    3.2 Applying old theories to online relationships 25

    3.3 New theories to explain online relating 27

    3.4 A brief history of online relating 30

    3.5 Contemporary online spaces 33

    3.6 Interacting in various spaces 36

    3.7 Future development in the field 37

    3.8 Conclusions 37

    Chapter 4 Online Dating 39

    4.1 What is an online dating site? 39

    4.2 Motivations for using an online dating site 40

    4.3 Psychological characteristics of online daters 41

    4.4 Comparing online dating sites with personal ads 42

    4.5 Presenting oneself on an online dating site 43

    4.6 Dating deception 44

    4.7 A perfect match or a numbers game? 45

    4.8 Stages in the online dating process 46

    4.9 Conclusions 49

    Chapter 5 Online Sexual Activities 51

    5.1 The beginnings of Internet sex 51

    5.2 The Triple A Engine 52

    5.3 Cybersex: debilitating or liberating? 53

    5.4 Interactive sex entertainment 54

    5.5 Cybersex addiction 54

    5.6 The Internet as an enabler of risky offline sexual encounters 55

    5.7 The Internet and sexual health information 56

    5.8 Social support and exploring sexuality 57

    5.9 Teens and risky sexual online behaviour 58

    5.10 Teledildonics and the future of sex in cyberspace 60

    5.11 Conclusions 60

    Chapter 6 Internet Infidelity 62

    6.1 Defining Internet infidelity 63

    6.2 Unfaithful online sexual activities 63

    6.3 Virtual or real? 65

    6.4 Emotional infidelity 65

    6.5 Gender differences: Which is worse – sex or love? 66

    6.6 Qualitative differences between online and offline affairs 68

    6.7 Virtual affairs with an avatar 70

    6.8 Conclusions 71

    Chapter 7 Children's and Teens' Use of Digital Technologies 73

    7.1 Internet usage 73

    7.2 The digital divide 74

    7.3 Digital technologies: Harmful or empowering for young people? 75

    7.4 Illegal content and illegal activities 76

    7.5 Cyberbullying and cyberharassment 77

    7.6 Scams, children and teens 79

    7.7 Identity development 80

    7.8 Activism 81

    7.9 Radicalization 82

    7.10 Conclusions 84

    Chapter 8 Online Education 86

    8.1 Technology and learning 86

    8.2 E-learning 87

    8.3 E-learning versus face-to-face learning 89

    8.4 Synchronous and asynchronous communication within e-learning 90

    8.5 Media richness theory 93

    8.6 Salmon's stage model of e-learning 95

    8.7 3-D learning environments 96

    8.8 Conclusions 99

    Chapter 9 Leisure and Entertainment 101

    9.1 What is leisure and what motivates our pursuit of it? 101

    9.2 Online family leisure 103

    9.3 Older adults 103

    9.4 Technoference: Encroaching on leisure time within relationships 104

    9.5 Telecommunication 105

    9.6 Time and functional displacement effects 106

    9.7 Twitter 110

    9.8 Conclusions 112

    Chapter 10 Online Gaming and Gambling 114

    10.1 Internet addiction 114

    10.2 Internet gambling addiction 116

    10.3 Internet gaming addiction 117

    10.4 Aggressive video games 118

    10.5 Transcending taboos: video games 123

    10.6 Games for learning 124

    10.7 Conclusions 126

    Chapter 11 Online Deception 128

    11.1 Defining deception 128

    11.2 Deception in cyberspace 129

    11.3 Do we lie more online? 133

    11.4 Detecting deception 137

    11.5 Conclusions 138

    Chapter 12 Online Crimes: Scams, Fraud and Illegal Downloads 141

    12.1 Phishing 142

    12.2 Vishing 143

    12.3 Why are people tricked by phishing? 144

    12.4 Improving detection 146

    12.5 Mass-marketing fraud 146

    12.6 Awareness campaigns 149

    12.7 Cognitive and motivational errors 150

    12.8 What type of person tends to be susceptible to MMF? 151

    12.9 Stages involved in the online dating romance scam 152

    12.10 Illegal downloads 152

    12.11 Conclusions 154

    Chapter 13 Online Crimes: Cyberharassment, Hate Crimes and Cyberwarfare 156

    13.1 Online harassment and stalking 156

    13.2 Cyberstalking and the law 158

    13.3 Psychologically profiling criminals and victims 159

    13.4 Hate crimes 160

    13.5 Cyberwarfare 162

    13.6 Surveillance and monitoring 165

    13.7 Conclusions 168

    Chapter 14 Online Crimes: Child Pornography and Paedophilia 170

    14.1 The internet and the increase in child pornography 171

    14.2 Child pornography and the law 172

    14.3 Pseudo-photographs 174

    14.4 Types of child pornography offenders 176

    14.5 Characteristics of child pornography offenders 179

    14.6 The relationship between child pornography and hands-on offending 180

    14.7 Theoretical approaches to child pornography offending 181

    14.8 Conclusions 185

    Chapter 15 Online Support and Health Care 187

    15.1 The internet and health 187

    15.2 Characteristics and motivations 188

    15.3 Online health searching and cyberchondria 189

    15.4 Social media, group forums and support sites 191

    15.5 E-therapy 193

    15.6 Assessing the effectiveness of e-therapies 196

    15.7 Immersive virtual environments as aids to treatment 197

    15.8 Conclusions 198

    Chapter 16 Concluding Thoughts 200

    References 203

    Index 240

Cyberpsychology

    Product form

    £32.25

    Includes FREE delivery

    RRP £33.95 – you save £1.70 (5%)

    Order before 4pm tomorrow for delivery by Wed 10 Jun 2026.

    A Paperback / softback by Monica T. Whitty, Garry Young

    1 in stock


      View other formats and editions of Cyberpsychology by Monica T. Whitty

      Publisher: John Wiley and Sons Ltd
      Publication Date: 23/12/2016
      ISBN13: 9780470975626, 978-0470975626
      ISBN10: 0470975628
      Also in:
      Psychology

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      CYBERPSYCHOLOGY

      An important new textbook for an exciting area of contemporary psychological study and research...

      The field of cyberpsychology examines the psychology of interactions between individuals, societies and digital technologies. This engaging and accessible textbook offers a complete introduction to the subject. The authors outline key theories, provide critical assessments, identify areas in need of further research, and discuss ways to use digital technologies as a research tool. They also include a wealth of real life examples, activities and discussion questions for students at undergraduate and graduate levels.

      Cyberpsychology provides up-to-date coverage of a wide range of topics relating to online behaviour, and considers the potential impact of these interactions offline:

      • online identity
      • online dating and relationships
      • pornography
      • cyberbullying
      • children''s use of the Inter

        Table of Contents

        List of Tables, Figures and Boxes x

        Chapter 1 Introduction 1

        Chapter 2 The 'Self' in Cyberspace 9

        2.1 Defining the 'Self' 9

        2.2 The self in cyberspace 13

        2.3 Disembodied selves in cyberspace 13

        2.4 The cyborg self 16

        2.5 Goffman: Performing self online 17

        2.6 Possible selves in cyberspace 18

        2.7 Social identities in cyberspace 19

        2.8 Visually anonymous? 20

        2.9 Conclusions 21

        Chapter 3 Online Relationships 23

        3.1 Traditional relationships: Offline realm 23

        3.2 Applying old theories to online relationships 25

        3.3 New theories to explain online relating 27

        3.4 A brief history of online relating 30

        3.5 Contemporary online spaces 33

        3.6 Interacting in various spaces 36

        3.7 Future development in the field 37

        3.8 Conclusions 37

        Chapter 4 Online Dating 39

        4.1 What is an online dating site? 39

        4.2 Motivations for using an online dating site 40

        4.3 Psychological characteristics of online daters 41

        4.4 Comparing online dating sites with personal ads 42

        4.5 Presenting oneself on an online dating site 43

        4.6 Dating deception 44

        4.7 A perfect match or a numbers game? 45

        4.8 Stages in the online dating process 46

        4.9 Conclusions 49

        Chapter 5 Online Sexual Activities 51

        5.1 The beginnings of Internet sex 51

        5.2 The Triple A Engine 52

        5.3 Cybersex: debilitating or liberating? 53

        5.4 Interactive sex entertainment 54

        5.5 Cybersex addiction 54

        5.6 The Internet as an enabler of risky offline sexual encounters 55

        5.7 The Internet and sexual health information 56

        5.8 Social support and exploring sexuality 57

        5.9 Teens and risky sexual online behaviour 58

        5.10 Teledildonics and the future of sex in cyberspace 60

        5.11 Conclusions 60

        Chapter 6 Internet Infidelity 62

        6.1 Defining Internet infidelity 63

        6.2 Unfaithful online sexual activities 63

        6.3 Virtual or real? 65

        6.4 Emotional infidelity 65

        6.5 Gender differences: Which is worse – sex or love? 66

        6.6 Qualitative differences between online and offline affairs 68

        6.7 Virtual affairs with an avatar 70

        6.8 Conclusions 71

        Chapter 7 Children's and Teens' Use of Digital Technologies 73

        7.1 Internet usage 73

        7.2 The digital divide 74

        7.3 Digital technologies: Harmful or empowering for young people? 75

        7.4 Illegal content and illegal activities 76

        7.5 Cyberbullying and cyberharassment 77

        7.6 Scams, children and teens 79

        7.7 Identity development 80

        7.8 Activism 81

        7.9 Radicalization 82

        7.10 Conclusions 84

        Chapter 8 Online Education 86

        8.1 Technology and learning 86

        8.2 E-learning 87

        8.3 E-learning versus face-to-face learning 89

        8.4 Synchronous and asynchronous communication within e-learning 90

        8.5 Media richness theory 93

        8.6 Salmon's stage model of e-learning 95

        8.7 3-D learning environments 96

        8.8 Conclusions 99

        Chapter 9 Leisure and Entertainment 101

        9.1 What is leisure and what motivates our pursuit of it? 101

        9.2 Online family leisure 103

        9.3 Older adults 103

        9.4 Technoference: Encroaching on leisure time within relationships 104

        9.5 Telecommunication 105

        9.6 Time and functional displacement effects 106

        9.7 Twitter 110

        9.8 Conclusions 112

        Chapter 10 Online Gaming and Gambling 114

        10.1 Internet addiction 114

        10.2 Internet gambling addiction 116

        10.3 Internet gaming addiction 117

        10.4 Aggressive video games 118

        10.5 Transcending taboos: video games 123

        10.6 Games for learning 124

        10.7 Conclusions 126

        Chapter 11 Online Deception 128

        11.1 Defining deception 128

        11.2 Deception in cyberspace 129

        11.3 Do we lie more online? 133

        11.4 Detecting deception 137

        11.5 Conclusions 138

        Chapter 12 Online Crimes: Scams, Fraud and Illegal Downloads 141

        12.1 Phishing 142

        12.2 Vishing 143

        12.3 Why are people tricked by phishing? 144

        12.4 Improving detection 146

        12.5 Mass-marketing fraud 146

        12.6 Awareness campaigns 149

        12.7 Cognitive and motivational errors 150

        12.8 What type of person tends to be susceptible to MMF? 151

        12.9 Stages involved in the online dating romance scam 152

        12.10 Illegal downloads 152

        12.11 Conclusions 154

        Chapter 13 Online Crimes: Cyberharassment, Hate Crimes and Cyberwarfare 156

        13.1 Online harassment and stalking 156

        13.2 Cyberstalking and the law 158

        13.3 Psychologically profiling criminals and victims 159

        13.4 Hate crimes 160

        13.5 Cyberwarfare 162

        13.6 Surveillance and monitoring 165

        13.7 Conclusions 168

        Chapter 14 Online Crimes: Child Pornography and Paedophilia 170

        14.1 The internet and the increase in child pornography 171

        14.2 Child pornography and the law 172

        14.3 Pseudo-photographs 174

        14.4 Types of child pornography offenders 176

        14.5 Characteristics of child pornography offenders 179

        14.6 The relationship between child pornography and hands-on offending 180

        14.7 Theoretical approaches to child pornography offending 181

        14.8 Conclusions 185

        Chapter 15 Online Support and Health Care 187

        15.1 The internet and health 187

        15.2 Characteristics and motivations 188

        15.3 Online health searching and cyberchondria 189

        15.4 Social media, group forums and support sites 191

        15.5 E-therapy 193

        15.6 Assessing the effectiveness of e-therapies 196

        15.7 Immersive virtual environments as aids to treatment 197

        15.8 Conclusions 198

        Chapter 16 Concluding Thoughts 200

        References 203

        Index 240

      Recently viewed products

      © 2026 Book Curl

        • American Express
        • Apple Pay
        • Diners Club
        • Discover
        • Google Pay
        • Maestro
        • Mastercard
        • PayPal
        • Shop Pay
        • Union Pay
        • Visa

        Login

        Forgot your password?

        Don't have an account yet?
        Create account