Cyber-psychology is a branch of psychology that was created in response to an emerging cyber-culture. I will attempt to give some factual information about Cyber-psychology from the perspective of a psychology student who is just beginning to research the topics encompassed in this field. The information I present and my conclusions are drawn from knowledge I acquired through reading my instructor's research, web sites on the subject(s), and my own personal experiences with on-line behavior, involvement, and identity. I relate cyber-psychology to transpersonal experience and methodology. I have also made links to all of the material I used to compose this report, with some linking to other psychology student reports to offer the reader a look into the study of cyber-psychology in a curriculum community at the University of Hawaii.

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Cyber-psychology is the study of human mind and behavior in a culture of computer technology. It is the examination of the relationship between human and machine as they connect and co-exist as separate but dependent entities. Hypotheses are made about the social aspects of cyberspace and about the individual's motivation to interact through the Internet. Observations are noted as data and theories are tested. All of the research is supposed to lead to an understanding of on-line behavior and its' trends as communication and activity evolves. The researcher uses her/his personal experiences with the space beyond the mind in the Internet to gain insight on the subject.

I believe that cyber-psychology and transpersonal psychology share some common ideas about the individual and her/his role in the methodology of research. Although the goals of cyber-psychology may differ, the underlying personal involvement in acquiring knowledge and experiencing virtual life overlap with the transpersonal approach. "Transpersonal psychology calls for a radical reexamination of mind, action, and reality free of preconceived limits and expectations. Transpersonal psychology is concerned with exploring dimensions of the mind, action, and personality that go beyond, and transcend, the general concepts of ego and personal identity...consciousness evokes the essential unity and identity of all beings with the whole of existence"(Shapiro, S.I., p.195-197) A Vision of Transpersonal Psychology, Psychologia, 1982, 25, 195-204.

Researchers are forced to re-examine reality and the boundaries of human existence. The transcendence of the mind and identity through the whole of all beings in the World Wide Web evokes a sense of interconnectedness. The researcher observes her/himself closely and witnesses feelings, thoughts, and actions as they are experienced on-line. This introspection and subjectivity changes the traditional view of empiricism in Cyber-psychology research. We are the best predictors of our behavior on-line and we can offer explanations as to what motivates us to stay connected to the computer and the WEB. Cyber-psychology is an evolution in psychology that is responding to the needs of a world of virtual states of consciousness. Why not try to understand ourselves through our own personal relationships with the computer technology?

The essential nature or basic characteristic behavior of cyber-psychology, according to Dr. Leon James, includes three levels: affective, cognitive, and sensorimotor.

The affective element includes motivation or emotional responses. Why are we drawn to chat rooms or web surfing? I am motivated by the desire to seek out individuals who share my interests in art and music. I am motivated by a need to learn about this new medium and its' capabilities so that I am not left out of a community of people who are making it part of their lives. I am motivated to reach out and to be drawn in by a non-tangible group of people. It is a need to connect and feel unity.

Cognitive elements can be interpreted as the individual's acquisition of knowledge through learning experiences on the Internet. It is the human's ability to think on-line and use the Internet as a thinking tool. The computer aids us in our cognitive processes by adding to them an organization of information and new strategies to gain knowledge. An example of this is the multiplicity and fluidity of on-line thinking and the knowledge ensued.

Sensorimotor characteristics are the actual biological responses to on-line phenomenon. The computer screen and speakers channel our visual and audio perceptions. Our body has to touch the screens, mouse, or keyboard and the computer in turn reacts to our physical presence. We respond to the information that is relayed back to us. Imagine how you respond to an error message that pops up on the screen or a page with blinding, yellow text. What happens when you get an instant message from a friend? I see the text and then I feel the presence of another person through this visual stimulus--it has an impact on my "psyche".

Psychologists are interested in on-line behavior because it has psychological and social aspects that can be researched. The topics vary: on-line addiction, cyber-marriage, communities, social activity, identity, transcendence and the list continues to grow. Cyberspace is thought of as an extension of the self and a transitional space for individuals to explore facets of the self. Two example are given below:

John Suler writes: "Sometimes people use it (Internet) to act out some unpleasant need or emotion, often by abusing other people. Or it allows them to be honest and open about some personal issue that they could not discuss in a face-to-face encounter."

The flexibility and anonymity of the Internet facilitate the exploration of identity and behavior.

John Suler writes: "A user will act on unconscious motivations - as well as conscious preferences and choices - in selecting friends, lovers, and enemies. This "transference" guides us towards specific types of people who address our underlying emotions and needs. Pressed by hidden expectations, wishes, and fears, this unconscious filtering mechanism has at its disposal an almost infinite candy store of online alternatives to choose from."

On-line we are not restricted to the local ceramic club or self-help group. Our options seem endless. From these two examples you can see the complexity behind on-line behavior and how it is an extension of "real" behavior with a few added twists.

Business groups have certainly gained from observations about on-line behavior as well. They use web site popularity and other activities to tract potential consumers and other business tactics on-line. Teachers, such as my university professor, are responding to cyber-psychology topics in an educational setting. Designers and programmers also gain valuable information about user behavior and then use this information to create systems, software, and services that tailor to it. Therapists have already begun to address cyber-psychological issues by setting up practices on-line and publishing research. I am interested in cyber-psychology as a means to understanding the principles of psychology and my relationship to virtuality.

Virtual reality is a reality that transcends physical existence and resides in the minds of all those who are connected to it. The only physical proof of its' existence is the information that is transmitted through the computer. We depend on a network of computers to bring our virtual world together. It is real because we experience bits of it through a screen. Virtuality literally means existing in the mind. Our minds make the Internet a reality.

Dr. Leon James writes: "Cyberspace, like mind, is not in physical space, but in virtual space, without extension, distance, or mass. Cyberspace is like mind in two important respects -- interactivity and organization. Minds interact through organized content. That is, our mind communicates with other minds and the content of the exchange is organized by topic and by attitudes towards the topic."

In this sense cyberspace is an interconnected and organized like the mind. Cyberspace is a collaboration of infinite minds, which behave according to the organization of thought processes such as communication or responses. The mind can live multilocally.

John Suler writes: "Psychological models of the mind may help organize our understanding of this world. Where is the id, ego, and superego dynamics of the internet? If the internet is a complex system of links and associations - not unlike the human brain - is it a form of consciousness that is an extension or a manifestation of the human world? Perhaps someday it can attain its own independent consciousness."

Cyberspace, since it resembles the human mind, can lead researchers toward a more complete understanding of the dimensions and processes of the mind. There are so many questions and possibilities for answers as the "science of the mind" continues to look into virtual space as a metaphor for the intricate matrix of the mind. When we reach within and beyond our mind for answers, we may find them.

*The transpersonal and spiritual significance of virtuality is discussed in the next section.

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Dr. James' Article covers many topics that other psychologists are researching and writing about on the Net. Hypertext, link functions, global clicking patterns, networks...I chose to report on the spirituality ideas in his article because they were novel to me and I found them intriguing since I am in the process of discovering my own spirituality at this point in my life. For a complete discussion, link to the original.

It is logical to assume that spirituality has the potential to permeate cyber-space since it is a phenomenon that has existed cross-culturally for hundreds of years in the minds of humans. If virtual space resides in our minds and through the linking our thoughts, then spirituality will present itself in some form or another along side of virtuality. Spirituality motivates us to act and think according to what we define as spiritual.

"Virtual presence is created through access and usage which are determined by interests and intentions, both of which are spiritual acts. "-Dr. James

Our spirit is the essence and will that conjure up our thoughts. This is what we bring to the communal mind of cyber-space, and it is shared with all other members through our presence. We look to know ourselves through spirituality and it gives us a purpose to comprehend and find our place(s). Transpersonal psychology focuses on this inner intrapsychic and interpsychic function of spirituality. Explaining behavior and the mind from this perspective could broaden the depth of cyber-psychology.

"Clicking in cyberspace is equivalent to one's spiritual practice in daily life. This is because clicking is at once a moral, ethical, economic, and psychological act."-Dr. James

The notion of "spirituality" can bring someone to envision traditional religious notions of the word. Try to let go of your predefined opinions of what a spiritual act is and begin to see it as separate from God or Buddha. Think of it as the switch that says go or stop as you travel through the paths of your life, actions, or thoughts. Clicking, or the decision to refrain, is merely one small instance of the switch that guides behavior. You do it instantly and unconsciously, just like when you see someone that catches your attention and you instantly glance a second time--you just do it and never say "that was spiritual", but it is a psychological act.

This is how I understood Spiritual psychology and how I was able to relate it to transpersonal ideas. The fluidity of cyberspace lends itself to non-traditional perspectives, research and methodologies for investigation. "As we sense our inner diversity we come to know our limitations. We understand that we do not and cannot know things completely, not the outside world and not ourselves" (Turkle, p.261). A flexible self can ideally value diversity and comprehend limitations and feel the interconnectedness of all people. Maybe a spiritual or less rigid understanding of behavior and the mind can bring people together and realize the importance of our incompleteness with out the connections we have with others in mind and spirit. My question is: How do you merge science with spirituality--Can you still do statistics?

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Dr. Leon James, University of Hawaii

This article covers many cyber-psychology topics. The index includes several sub-topics. It is an excellent source for initial research. Check it out for a complete description of Spiritual Psychology!

Sherry Turkle's Homepage

Turkle is the author of Life on the Screen, the assigned text for this course. Her homepage includes links to her current research and courses she is teaching at MIT. Visit to find out what she is up to and what she is teaching.

Textbook:  Sherry Turkel (1995), Life on the Screen: Identity in the Age of the Internet (New York: Touchstone Book).

 John Suler Cyber-psychology Homepage

Learn the basics about cyber-psychology by browsing through his index of psychology related topics. His page appears as a cyber-culture resource on many other indexes, so don't miss out.

Catalyst Info on Computers in Psychology

This web page serves as both a resource for new research and products and a forum for discussing the significance of computer technology in psychological science. 

Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication

This is a free on-line journal is brought to you by the University of Southern California. The issues cover topics like virtual presence and cyborgs.

Computer- Mediated Communication (CMC)

Human Computer Interaction

Cyber Studies Resource

This is a WebRing that contains an index to several pages with abundant links. Visiting this site could take hours, but I found some good information browsing through each page.

The Psychology of Menu Selection: Designing Cognitive Control at the Human/Computer Interface by Kent L. Norman "Menu selection is emerging as an important mode of human/computer interaction. This book, the first entirely devoted to this important form of human/computer interaction, provides detailed theoretical and empirical information of interest to software designers and human/computer interaction specialists and researchers. A new theoretical approach to menu selection is taken by developing a psychological theory of cognitive control by the user."

An actual article and not an index of links!

Archives of CYBERCULTURELISTSER@V.TEMPLE

This is one of many listservs that discusses the issues covered in this report. If you want to find out what people are saying in the field of cyber-psychology, go there!

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Michelle Malonzo G4

Shane Cobb-Adams G4

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