The Social Net: Understanding Human Behavior in Cyberspace [Hardcover]

Yair Amichai-Hamburger (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0198528752 | ISBN-13: 978-0198528753 | Publication Date: June 16, 2005

In cyberspace we see examples of the best and the worst aspects of human behavior. The Internet environment is unique - it affects our attitudes, inhibitions, feelings or responsibility, emotions, impressions of others, and relationships. But how dies it achieve this? How does the Internet enable people to express elements of their personality that they cannot express in the real word? This is a topic that extends far beyond psychology. Anyone doing business on the Internet needs to fully understand how people behave online. The Social Net examines the social psychology of the Internet. With chapters from leading psychological researchers, it tackles both the positive and negative aspects of our Internet behavior. With chapters on persuasion and compliance, personality, prejudice, on-line relationships, and human inhibitions, it presents a fascinating expose of online behavior. The book will be valuable for social psychologists, as well as anyone who wants to better understand how they can exploit the full potential of the Internet.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The Social Net examines the social psychology of the Internet. With chapters from leading internationally renowned experts, it tackles both the positive and negative aspects of our Internet behaviour. With chapters on persuasion and compliance, personality, prejudice, on-line relationships, and human inhibitions, it presents a fascinating expose of online behaviour. The book will be valuable for psychologists and anyone who wants to better understand how they can exploit the full potential of the Internet. Fast Company Magazine

About the Author

Yair Amichai-Hamburger received his PhD from Oxford University and is now Assistant Professor at the Psychology department, Bar-Ilan University, Israel. He also works as an industrial consultant, and has advised many leading organizations. His fascination with cyberspace stems from his academic background and his practical experience as an industrial consultant to high tech and startup companies. He has written widely on the impact of the Internet on well-being.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 296 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (June 16, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198528752
• ISBN-13: 978-0198528753
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,523,344 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The challenge of the Internet to social behavior, June 14, 2005

By 

Shmuel Levinson (Jerusalem, Israel) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Social Net: Understanding Human Behavior in Cyberspace (Hardcover)

It has been over ten years since the Internet became more than a means of sharing ideas between college professors of science. Early developers of the Internet attempted to control the emerging market for communication and information by limiting access to other providers and to limit direct access to the Internet itself. Today the Internet is a democratic free for all with few rules and little censorship. Anyone with access to the Internet desiring information or requiring communication turns first to the Internet. Most of what has been written to this point in time focuses on the technical aspects of the Internet. Most jokes deal with the computer nerd communicating with a "normal" human being. However, the momentum is shifting and significant research, business and communication now occurs using the Internet. This communication involves every aspect of human virtue and vice. "The Social Net," edited by Yair Amichai-Hamburger, is one of the first books to address the impact of the Internet on social behavior. It is necessary reading for computer professionals desiring to remain on the cutting edge of effectiveness in presenting information and enhancing communication using the Internet. It is just as important for the rest of us who just want to be aware of the impact that the Internet is having on our communities, our families and us.