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Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Psychology of Cyberspace - The Online Disinhibition Effect

Dr Media says, check out the below reflections by Suler, based on his research re:online life, and relevant to the earlier article about loss of privacy on Facebook.
The net allows for disambiguation of the True Self, allowing the multidimensional self, Jung anticipated this in his work . Is it new or merely a representation of our multiplicity of faceted selves, stay tuned, its all changing.




Psychology of Cyberspace - The Online Disinhibition Effect

True Self?

Does the disinhibition effect release inner needs, emotions, and attributes that dwell beneath surface personality presentations? Does it reveal your "true self." For example, a woman with repressed anger unleashes her hostility online, thereby showing others how she really feels. Or a shy man openly expresses his hidden affection for his cyberspace companion.

Some people do report being more like their true self in cyberspace. If personality is constructed in layers, with a core or true self buried beneath surface defenses and the seemingly superficial roles of everyday social interactions, then does the disinhibition effect release that true self?

This is a tempting conclusion. In fact, the very notion of a true self is tempting because it is useful in helping people articulate their experiences in how and what they express to others about themselves. The concept also works well, in a humanistic fashion, as a motivational tool in the process of self-actualization.

However, a comprehensive psychological as well as philosophical analysis reveals complexities in

Personal and cultural values: Personal and cultural values often dictate what we consider the true and false aspects of who we are. We more readily accept as valid those attributes that we regard as positive. An unpleasant aspect of one's personality is not really "me." However, sexual and aggressive tendencies, as Freud noted, are basic components of personality too, as are the psychological defenses designed to control them.

Personal and cultural values may also label the usually polite persona that we present to others during everyday living as superficial or false. However, this persona is the product of years of social and psychological development. As a critical component of the ego's construction and functioning, it is essential to interpersonal survival and no less important or true than other components of intrapsychic structure.

While online people may feel they have more opportunities to present themselves as they would like to present themselves, particularly in the carefully composed text of asynchronous communication. They may have more chances to convey thoughts and emotions that go "deeper" than the seemingly superficial persona of everyday living. These opportunities are very valuable aspects of cyberspace, but not necessarily evidence of a more true self. What we reveal about ourselves spontaneously, often right on the surface for others to see but without our being consciously awareness of it, may be just as real and true.

Some people are not fully satisfied with their in-person relationships. Perhaps they don't have opportunities to develop many relationships, or those that did develop turned out to be unfulfilling. In cyberspace they may find the companions they need. They feel more authentic in those online relationships, and this becomes a viable lifestyle alternative. On the other hand, some people who need to deny or rationalize the unfulfilling quality of their in-person relationships may resort to a personal philosophy that idealizes the disinhibition effect and the notion that the true self appears online.

10 Things Facebook Won't Say - SmartMoney.com

Hi Gang,
Well aren't we surprised. Here's the top 3 , read the rest as well. The key ones, knowing where you go and tracking you, are the big ones.
Recently Facebook acknowledged, perhaps via arrogance--following the example of its founder-or naivete, ditto, the owner, whatever the reason, now you know.
And you know who else knows, other than every major corporation, the government.
Do you really think Facebook, Google, Twitter, et al, will say no to the Feds?
Well if they won't say no to GE, or Madison Ave., why to the Feds Hmmm?
Think about it and then think about the implications.
Of course regular folks, can't even figure out how to deal with their privacy setting on Facebook, or set the time on their VCR's remember those.
This isn't a bug its a feature, it means that since most are technologically illiterate and they think they are getting a free service so they can "talk to their friends",
they give away their right to their own ideas.
Think someone will create the paid private facebook, called maybe, what "2faced", wait maybe that's what Facebook should be called, TwoFacedBook, seems appropriate doesn't it?

1. "We were in the right place at the right time."
2. "We know where you go online..."
3. "...and we hope you don't mind being tracked offline, too."






10 Things Facebook Won't Say - SmartMoney.com