INTRODUCTION

The following report is based on my analysis of various views on cyberpsychology. Like most people, starting something new for the first time can be quite frightening -- as I was at first utilizing the Internet. To me, it was extremely out of my comfort zone and I was not ready at the time. However, still a little frightened by it, I am finding it user friendly.

AUTHORITY CONCEPTS

Dr. James' main approach to virtual reality is based on the premise of space, but not the physical space. Space as Dr. James describes is without extension, distance, and has no mass. Cyberspace, in comparison with the mind, is not in physical space, but what Dr. James calls, "virtual space." Virtual reality is created by interactivity through a clickable title or word that exposes you to other areas of cyberspace. This activity to do so has increased the pace of communications, as well as the depth of knowledge being exchanged globally. People can now communicate on a wider scale with more people being able to express themselves. Cyberspace reflects the mind in two important aspects: 1) Interactivity; and 2) Organization. As Dr. James explains, minds interact through organized content. The organized content which Dr. James refers to is the organization of topics of which becomes a body of knowledge examined by thousands of people, forming a communal mind.

COMMUNAL MIND / LIMITED LIMITATIONS

The word community is thought of as a group of people interacting within a locality, a physical presence. Community, as defined in this sense, entails limitations in that the body of knowledge exchanged is confined to only that group within the community. And, therefore, the ability to use the mind creatively, analyzing views and thought processes becomes tunnel-vision. The idea of communal mind, not in a physical sense but through cyberspace, enables communication to occur at a much rapid pace. The community in this sense has "limited limitations". Views can now be examined globally, enriching the body of knowledge. In this sense individuals share their minds in cyberspace. One mind with access too all.

FORMING VIRTUAL COMMUNITY:

What I found most interesting is how people can be so different in many aspects of life, and yet still share joint or similar interests. Story telling, opera, staged theater plays, and published novels create virtual reality zones for people of similar interests to view. Joint focus as Dr. James describes, "appears to be the crucial mind that creates virtual reality." The essence of virtual reality is that which is created when two or more minds communicate through a topic on the basis of intention or interest.

Virtual community enables us to socialize with people whom we would otherwise never have the opportunity to know. The concept of non-physicalness is mystical, in that people are allowed to socialize under a virtual identity other than themselves. Dr. James suggests that this disguise perhaps offers them greater latitude in the responses.

ACQUIRING CYBERSPACE CITIZENSHIP:

On-line networking is fast becoming a daily necessity in people's lives, a complex skill that is expected of every citizen to know unless they prefer being in the dark. Dr. James introduces the word "technophobia", a distaste for reading help instructions or guides, endlessly postponing or avoiding certain on-line tasks, or refusing to ask for help. It would seem appropriate that what Dr. James is referring to is called the "comfort zone." People are afraid to change or learn something new. To them, learning something new is stepping out of the comfort zone, which could be threatening. An advocate on growing knowledge, Dr. James has now created generational classrooms. This curriculum was designed to set a social environment that is motivating and empowering to individuals. Dr. James also mentions that, "the interpersonal elements to provide include regular opportunities for sharing and caring."

WHAT "THEY" SAID (G4 )

The overall idea of cyberspace viewed by Generation 4 is quite consistent to the views of Dr. James. Commonalities include: Comparing the brain in humans to the hard disk of a computer. Ross Takara's report 4 stated that where the hard drive of a computer is the median that operates the net, the brain of humans also functions under similar circumstances with the mind. Both of which creates virtually reality. Another commonalities in view similar to that of Dr. James is the theory of dualism by Jill Umetsu. The concept of virtual reality based on dualism. The idea of something physically existing and yet , at the same time not be physically present. A third similarity in views come from Jami Kaneshiro's report 4. Jami touches upon the mind, and how it is an important ingredient, for without it, there can be no cyberspace.

An overall consistent theme I found was the organization of information between the mind and cyberspace. The human brain recalls memories and organizes information based on similarities or contextual cues. Similarly, cyberspace is like the mind in that it categorizes information by similarities in topic areas, and recalls information through the use of search engines.

WHAT I AM SAYING: Thoughts to ponder

Cyberpsychology in essence is an extension of the human intellect. The ability to undo limitations and expand the basis of our learning capabilities. Utilizing the Internet allows us to be at many places in a short time. It has increased communications to higher levels. People can now communicate globally via e-mail or newsgroups. We are able to examine other people's views on a larger scale, enabling us to understand differences in perspectives. Another interesting aspect of cyberpsychology is that in cyberspace, there is no stereotyping on physical appearance. Rich, poor, white, black, or Asian, male or female, one does not know who they are communicating with. There is no emphasis on how one looks or from what economic social class they represent. This fact in itself could very well establish world peace.

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING

It was quite frustrating at first locating articles about Cyberpsychology, Some of the search engines used include: Infoseek, Alta Vista, Excite and Yahoo. Most of the articles that I was able to scan over I found quite interesting. One of which was Dr. Suler's article on Personality Types in Cyberspace. Dr. Suler strongly suggests the psychoanalytic theory, saying that cyberspace is a psychological extension of the individual's intra-psychic world. Although I am unclear as to what he really means to say, if he means to say that cyberspace is another way of experiencing our intra-psychic then I can relate.

Another article I found was by Storm King on the topic of the Social Psychology of Cyberspace. King shares his views about how we can communicate at higher cognitive levels. "The imagination fills in what the senses do not report". I found this statement rather true in that it is often difficult to convey fully what you mean with just our emotions, sometimes expressions go beyond.