The Psychology of the Internet Book

For Internet veterans, communicating by e-mail and arguing in newsgroups seem perfectly natural. Step back from the keyboard, though, and you might see some merit in Patricia Wallace's thesis that the Net "is a place where we humans are acting and interacting rather strangely at times". Her book explores on-line behaviours, mixing academic research and anecdote to create explanations that are both credible and accessible.Despite the all-encompassing title, The Psychology of the Internet only deals with technologies that enable Net users to communicate directly: e-mail, newsgroups, chat and MUD-type environments (virtual worlds where people can experiment with alternative personas). The Web gets mentioned in passing, chiefly as a repository for personal home pages, but if you are a Web designer wanting to know how people feel about colour schemes or navigation tools, you've come to the wrong book.Wallace starts by looking at on-line identities and group dynamics, then considers specific activities such as flaming (arguments), romance, addiction and altruism. A chapter on pornography avoids sensationalism, but ends weakly with, "We know too little about pornography on the Internet--who uses it and how it affects them--to draw any firm conclusions yet". There is also a chapter on gender issues.You don't need a background in psychology or a wealth of technical expertise to get something from this book. It will make you think twice about the next e-mail you type and throw some light on your experiences, but there are no great revelations. Wallace just tells it as it is, moderately and sensibly. --Mary LojkineRead More