Cyberpsychology And HCI Part 1: When Social Networks Sites Meets Human, What Happens?

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Overview

As am concerned about Technologies so as well am also concerned with the effect and how they affect our lives in different forms. We find ourselves using the several devices, we input our time, mind and soul into these devices while using them to communicate or passing a message across but what can we say about its output?

Some of us give more time to the internet and as time goes on, we find our actions being affected because of these devices. We create them, they control us, is this what we should allow?

Computer and psychology have always correlated together to produce sensible technology that fit the best at the peak of practices in which humans indulge in. Computer engineers and scientist has great reasons why they put in so much interest in the psychological part of these technologies.

Like, the development of A.I machines which ideas how to solve basic human problems and how this computer can implement the tasks given to them to perform. As different computer devices are spreading around the globe, the programmers of these devices want to get feedback on how the manufactured device is playing along in its interactions with the human environment and the knowledge of how humans respond to these devices want to be gained.

The study of how the computer interacts with humans continues to broad deeper and scientists have given much time to studies on how the human-computer interface (HCI) is used in order to bring out interactions that are error-free, efficient and effective.

As the world evolves in the age of technology, virtual reality, social media, mobile devices and the penetration of internet globally has refined the meaning of human-computer interaction (HCI). We can notice from around the world that different impact has occurred psychologically by the use of technology around the globe.

The psychology deals with the study of how the mind and works and the behaviour of humans while cyber, coming from the word cybernetics, is the study communication and automatic control in humans and machines.

With the combination of this two different discipline, “CYBER AND PSYCHOLOGY”, we get into what we call CYBERPSYCHOLOGY. Which tells us of how humans are affected psychologically due to the evolution of the internet.

So, What do we mean by cyberpsychology?

It is the study of how the of the mind and behaviour of humans in relation to human interaction and communication of machine and man. It expands into the culture of computers and the advent of virtual reality on the internet.

Experiences in the 21st century now deal with multitasking because we have come to an age where technology is leading the way through and in the life of humans. The use of digital tools, mobile technology, apps, wifi, social networks and other things that are demanded by man which can be produced digitally has shaped the idea of our identity, likes, connections and friend.

If we have noticed, we will discover that each time we add a device into our lives, there is a difference in behaviour and attitudes to our environment. The consistency of sharing data, shared expectations and norms, technology tools and commitment to devices has chiselled us into patterns.

In the cyberspace, there are several subjects that have taken over or have captivated the mind of many such as online identity, types of personality, addictions to the internet and computers, online relationships, gender-switching online and more.
Most researchers have focused on the theoretical and statistical aspect of how the internet is used by people in context with cyberpsychology, however, cyberpsychology also focuses on psychological facts of the input and effect of cyborgs, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence towards the man.

The idea about these technologies might be a science fiction when it comes to sophisticated technologies but here is the deal, the combination of the STEM (science technology engineering and mathematics) is bringing the science fiction into reality. As they emerge, the psychological aspect now becomes very important to everyone. Mentally, there is an effect that pops through the mind of any human that encounters technology.

Cyberpsychology and Social Networking

The online scale of the use of social networks increasing daily have its part to play psychologically in the lives of every individual who comes in contact with it either positively or negatively. For example Facebook, the leading social media websites have influenced the psychological status of many with and without their knowledge. Some are aware that they are influenced by Social networks and some are not aware of their psychological status.

Out of experience, am not a facebook freak as I have seen others to an extent but I realize that each time I log into my account just to check out my notification or message, I spend much time more than usual.

I then have to come to a point where I tell myself “enough”. The more you stay, the more you want to see post posted by different people. Now, I think of such for those who are addicted to one social network or another. They have to spend much time on them without achieving something reasonable. That is why I like steemit because it is an educational centre…the difference is clear and we got THE STEEMSTEM COMMUNITY! Where you learn different things!

The pattern used by most social network sites is the one to many patterns. This is where an individual shares his or her personal views, photographs, lifestyle experiences to different people around the world. In the year 2010, a messenger came to the public with which one to one communication was implemented.

However, the use of these network sites is becoming detrimental to the individual as there is mental illness arising from different angles which are being shared below. Most people through the internet face low self-esteem, depression, becoming vulnerable to cyber-attacks through the exposure of personal activities, loneliness and bad negative relationship which can cause emotional catastrophe.

Low Self-esteem: Are you being Influenced

The sensation of seeing a different post by friends and family via social media has caused many to compare their personal influence, achievements, capability, and standards between themselves and their friends.

I have been a victim I can tell you that. It happened that I travelled out from my country to study somewhere. I came along with my friend who we stayed together after sometime before he travelled to another city to continue his studies. After two years, I encountered some financial issues which caused me to be out of school for three semesters. During that time, I decided to work.

When I got back up to my feet and started studies, I discovered that most of my colleagues are far way ahead of me. After some semesters, when I logged into my facebook, I saw my good friends picture (He just graduated). As well as other students I knew.

Truthfully, I was happy for him but later I started thinking about my life and the experiences I had gone through. Now am giving an example so you might understand the influence of social network on the life of people especially the youths.

When they see their peers achievements and the lifestyle they display, they sometimes have negative thoughts running through their mind. Sometimes it might be the fun that friends are having somewhere, the parties they attended or friends they dated.

This feeling just doesn’t come handy. The fact that one underestimates the hard times of others and think of the pleasurable lifestyle of people brings about the depth into negative emotions. Researchers found out that in some cases, the more people underestimate others negative feelings and emotion, the more the tendency of feeling lonely and depressed increase.

Now, the knowledge of taking out our eyes from just only the good pleasures displayed by others but looking into the two sides of experiences every human encounter could reduce the state of negative emotions in us.

Aspect Of Negative Relationship

At some point when I was younger, I tried to get lots of female friends on social media websites because I felt it was a game for me on social media, I would tell you now that I ask myself each time I think of those times: why did I have to do that? It was absolute foolishness.

But on a serious note, when it comes to relationships, we all got to be serious especially on the network. Individuals have ruined their relationships, marriages because of social media. Jealousy has connived with social media to break up marriages. Sometimes it happens when a partner comment on the post made by an opposite gender.

Most cases about cheating, online flirting has become popular in the cyberspace. New relationship finds it difficult to cope when they have involved themselves with social networks and this brings distrust between them. For example, relationships that a male or a female is always online on the platform, might bring suspicion to the partner, asking different questions like, who are you chatting with? You spend much time with your phone more than me..stuffs like that. This brings distrust in the relationship.

The FOMO Syndrome (The fear of missing out)

This syndrome happens to many addictive users of social media. This is one of the products that is always seen in most people. It happens when a repetitive checking of persons or group updates, status, social events or posts with the feeling of not to be left out in the discussion and on the other hand might lead to another syndrome of personality known as “fear of being missed” (FOBM). This is when one has the obsession of providing constant updates about his or her personal schedules, lifestyle, travel, happy and sad moments etc.

Sleep Denied

Checking this out, many fall victim, while talking with friends on the network. I sometimes experience it. Sometimes I tell myself that I want to take a little nap for maybe 2 hours before I continue my studies, at the end, when I fall on my bed, I discover that am chatting with friends and the time is almost gone.

This can be a serious issue not only during the day but also during the night. The time given to the media by an addictive individuals makes them ignore the usual time for sleep and they end up sleeping late in the middle of the night.

In addition, sleeping late and waking early before the time you ought to brings about unproductivity during the day. The brain needs sleep to be active…just like your computer does need reboot each time it has worked so much…your brain needs to be refreshed!

The Anxiety Disorder Problem

Many individuals with anxiety disorders fall into the category of having a low self-esteem, hard in solving problems etc, and this happens to many who use social network sites. According to (Calancie et al., 2017), research conducted, was focused on adolescents who make use of Facebook and they expressed how Facebook has influenced their anxiety. The main goal was to understand the experiences of young individuals with anxiety disorders in respect on how Facebook influence their anxiety, They authors brought up several points from their qualitative analysis made. The result made from their research is stated below:

Seeking of Approval

This refers to the impact or effect of receiving and not receiving likes from the people on Facebook. When a post is being posted online, there is certainty that the post will be or not be liked. The participants in the conducted research stated that they feel very positive and excited whenever their post is liked by individuals. Some said that this experience of getting more likes makes them feel important among peers. However, some concluded that they are very conscious of how many likes they received compared to their peers.

The tendency of not getting many likes makes them feel unapproved by their peers and this gives them the negative emotions of thinking about themselves.

The fear of Judgement From Peers

Users of Facebook tend to be meanwhile online. Many agreed that the fact or lack of face to face interaction contributed to the fact that many tend to say words that might bring negative impression in the heart of the individual who posted either a status, photograph or event. This contributes to the fact that while they use the network, they tend to be afraid to post because they feel that when they make their post, they might get some negative comment from peers and this might bring some downgrade in them emotionally.

Cyber Psychotherapy

In conclusion, cyber psychotherapy known as E-therapy or Cybertherapy, known to be a computer-mediated style of counselling. Thus, an individual has to chat or email a therapist online. However, the effectiveness of this comes when a video conferencing has been implemented as it paves way for the therapist to understand his or her patient by their body language and facial expression.

Further, as technology paves the way for human activities, certain technology like virtual and augmented reality has been a tool in helping the healthcare and psychology sector.

Though the increase of technology might be beneficial to the health of mankind, however many regulatory are considered in different countries regarding the use of technology for treating a man.

Thanks for Reading

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