PS 214 - Cyberpsychology

Could you imagine life without the Internet? Few decades ago, there were no smartphones, no computers, and no social networking sites. Now the Internet has reached virtually every corner of the lives of many people, especially among youths and young adults, bringing about tremendous changes in the way we live. This course is an invitation to take a closer look at scientific theories and findings in cyberpsychology. Cyberpsychology is a new field of research based on, adding to and extending other psychological disciplines such as social psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology. It tries to explain how the Internet is influencing all our lives and how these dynamics might influence our future world, in the fields of work and study, leisure and play, identity, and relating to others in relationships and groups. How is it affecting the way you and other people think, feel, perceive and define themselves and communicate with others? What are the opportunities and threats it brings to our lives and how can we learn to deal with them in a way that benefits us and our society? It will include practically relating the psychological theories to your own online behavior, observing, reflecting, and discussing your findings in class.