Oxford Handbook of Internet Psychology (Oxford Library of Psychology)

About this book

Over one billion people use the Internet globally. Psychologists are beginning to understand what people do online and the impact being online has on behaviour. Its making us re-think many of our existing assumptions about what it means to be a social being. For instance if we can talk flirt meet people and fall in love online this challenges many of psychologys theories that intimacy or understanding requires physical co-presence. The Oxford Handbook of Internet Psychology brings together many of the leading researchers in what can be termed Internet Psychology. Though a very new area of research it is growing at a phenomenal pace. In addition to well-studied areas of investigation such as social identity theory computer-mediated communication and virtual communities the volume also includes chapters on topics as diverse as deception and misrepresentation attitude change and persuasion online Internet addiction online relationships privacy and trust health and leisure use of the Internet and the nature of interactivity. With over 30 chapters written by experts in the field the range and depth of coverage is unequalled and serves to define this emerging area of research. Uniquely this content is supported by an entire section covering the use of the Internet as a research tool including qualitative and quantitative methods online survey design personality testing ethics and technological and design issues. While it is likely to be a popular research resource to be dipped into as a whole volume it is coherent and compelling enough to act as a single text book. The Oxford Handbook of Internet Psychology is the definitive text on this burgeoning field. It will be an essential resource for anyone interested in the psychological aspects of Internet use or planning to conduct research using the net.