Published On: 23rd June, 2024
Authored By: Bhama R
The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad
ABSTRACT
This paper aims to look at how cyberpsychology emerged and developed as a distinct field within applied psychology and explores how human behaviour and psychological functioning are affected in the context of interactions with technology. Online behaviour of people has manifest differences from normal offline behaviour and can also have complicated effects on the mental and social well-being of the user.
KEYWORDS
Cyberpsychology, Behaviour, Psychological Functioning
INTRODUCTION
Cyberpsychology studies psychological processes related to, and underlying, all aspects and features of technologically interconnected human behaviour [1]. It explores how the virtual environment influences human interactions and identifies the potential complications to mental and psychosocial well-being that may arise from it.
Cyberpsychology involves the intersection of multiple disciplines like human-computer interaction, computer science, engineering, and psychology. Advances in global communication and technologies, social media and networking sites, and technological intimacy created through developments such as the iPhone have created significant shifts in perspectives and behaviours [2]. The most commonly studied technology in Cyberpsychology research tries to explain human interactions with many devices, including mobile computing, game consoles, virtual reality and artificial intelligence [3].
LITERATURE REVIEW
Cyberpsychology is an emerging field within applied psychology currently positioned in its infancy. Harley et al defined it as “the study of how new communication technologies influence, and are influenced by, human behaviours and subjectivities” [4].
“Cyberpsychology and Behaviour”, launched in 1998, was the first journal to use the term Cyberpsychology and the journal recently changed its name to “Cyberpsychology, Behaviour, and Social Networking” in 2010. However, the stress and negative impulse brought about by the increased dependence on technologies contributed to the growth of Cyberpsychology as a mainstream subject domain. Recently, there was a rapid increase in computing and mobile technology, influencing human behavioural change, with common labels like digital addiction, digital anxiety, or negative effects of technologies, focused on the purpose of clinical psychology, and having a psychological and behavioural impact, detrimental for the technology users [5].
Wu et al analysed the complex relationship between aspects of the online environment (i.e., reduced cues and controllability), personality characteristics, and online behaviour. For example, personality factors seem to be associated with Social Networking Site (SNS) preferences such as Facebook or Twitter use [6].
Research literature and presentations in the area of cyberpsychology have primarily attended to personality variables, perceptual processes, emotional functioning, and behavioural responses. They focus on the affective, cognitive and behavioural implications on individual, dyadic, and group levels within the context of interactions with technology. Interactions in cyberspace have been found to have both positive and negative implications. There are quite a few studies which proved that social media use can stimulate healthy online social circles and enhance physical interactions. On the other hand, certain studies emphasize the consequences like increased invasion of privacy, social anxiety, online criminal activity, cyberattacks, cyberbullying etc.
However, cyberpsychology is a relatively new field with not much history or legacy of scientific or psychological research. Hence, there are not a lot of studies in this discipline upon which we can rely. But the relevance of the field in this digital era is unquestionably reiterated which stimulates further research in collaboration with other sectors like AI, bioinformatics and cybersecurity.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
The primary focus of the research is a literature review and the analysis of several research papers that looked at the influence of digital technology on behavioural and psychological functioning. The latter would involve the analysis of certain articles, chiefly “The age of cyberpsychology: An overview”, found and screened after a series of Google searches.
RESULTS
Online behaviour: Continuous exposure to technology and interactions via cyberspace gives rise to the online disinhibition effect which characterises the lowering of psychological restraints in online social environments. Apart from that, psychologists have tried to extend the aspects of the Five-Factor model of personality to the investigation of people’s use of SNSs. Extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness are positively related to social media use in many countries whereas emotional stability and openness to new experiences are negatively related to social media use.
Cyberbullying: Cyberbullying, one of the key areas of online behaviour, has attracted much attention with the development of cyberpsychology as a discipline. Studies have shown that both Big Five and Dark Triad personality traits are related to traditional bullying and cyberbullying behaviours in adolescents as well as in adults. Also, meta-analyses have revealed associations between cyber-victimization and higher school attendance problems, academic achievement difficulties, loneliness, suicidal ideation, anxiety, and substance use with correlations.
Psychological functioning: Some studies proved that larger social media networks and better online self-disclosure contribute to lower levels of stress as compared to those with smaller networks or those who engage in little self-disclosure. On the other hand, others have found that increased odds of depression and lower happiness are apparent in the ones in the highest quartile of use relative to those in the lower quartile of use among a range of ages [2].
DISCUSSION
It is evident that the online disinhibition effect reduces behavioural inhibitions and lowers regard for behavioural boundaries in cyberspace. The lack of eye contact and anonymity in cyberspace are two factors that reduce inhibitions and result in cyber-specific behaviour, including self-disclosure; this can explain users’ tendency to view content or engage in online activities that they would refuse to do online [7].
The application of the Five-Factor Model of personality in the aspects of cyberpsychology found that extraversion is positively associated with the number and frequency of text messaging and communication app usage on smartphones and also acts as significant unique predictors of careful computer security behaviours.
Along with the growth of interactions in cyberspace, cyberbullying and cyberterrorism also display exploding numbers. Texting and social media appear to be the most commonly used venues for cyberbullying [8]. On the other end of the spectrum, victims of such attacks are increasingly prone to loneliness, anxiety and even suicidal tendencies.
The relationship between internet use and psychological functioning is complex; it depends on who uses it and how one uses it. For men, no relationship has been found between psychological stress and frequent use of social media whereas for women, tech use can be related to modestly lower levels of stress. As per the results of studies conducted by Vahedi et al, smartphone use and stress levels show weak-to-moderate association. The ones who interact with media that promote upward social comparisons seem to be correlated with reductions in self-esteem and increases in depressive symptoms [9]. Internet addiction also gives rise to mental disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity, anxiety, alcohol abuse and depression.
CONCLUSION
There is unquestionable evidence which shows the complex relationship between cyber interactions and behavioural or psychological functioning. This paper has attempted to analyse the patterns of online behaviour and psychological effects brought about by interactions with technology. We can’t deny the fact that not much research was conducted in the said field. Although the increased use of smartphones and devices since the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown phases have pushed the growth of cyberpsychology as a mainstream subject domain, it is high time more subfields and related themes emerged out of cyberpsychology and resolved the consequences of digital addiction and anxiety.
REFERENCES
New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), What is Cyberpsychology and Why Is It Important, NJIT Cyberpsychology Blog.
Ancis, J. R. (2020). The age of cyberpsychology: An overview. Technology, Mind, and Behavior, 1(1).
3. Connolly, I., Palmer, M., Barton, H., & Kirwan, G. (Eds.). (2016). An Introduction to Cyberpsychology (1st). Routledge.
Harley, D., Morgan, J., & Frith, H. (2018). Cyberpsychology as Everyday Digital Experience across the Lifespan. Palgrave Macmillan.
Singh, Amarjit & Singh, Pawan. (2019). Recent Trends, Current Research in Cyberpsychology: a literature review.
Hughes, D. J., Rowe, M., Batey, M., & Lee, A. (2012). A tale of two sites: Twitter vs. Facebook and the personality predictors of social media usage. Computers in Human Behavior, 28(2), 561–569. DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2011.11.001.
Lapidot-Lefler, N., & Barak, A. (2012). Effects of anonymity, invisibility, and lack of eye contact on toxic online disinhibition. Computers in Human Behavior, 28(2), 434–443.
Whittaker, E., & Kowalski, R. M. (2015). Cyberbullying via Social Media. Journal of School Violence, 14(1), 11–29.
Boers, E., Afzali, M. H., Newton, N., & Conrod, P.(2019). Association of screen time and depression in adolescence. JAMA Pediatrics, 173(9), 853–859.