The Psychology of the Internet

by Patricia Wallace
Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, United Kingdon, 1999

The author is Executive Director of the Center for Knowledge and Information Management at the Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland.

Supported by knowledge of recent research, the author provides insight into how people sometimes behave differently on the Internet than they do in real life. According to Wallace, behaviors based on psychology in real life often do not carry over into the virtual world in the same way. For frequent users of the Internet, this information is not startling but eye-opening. For those who use the Internet little or not at all, this is a well-presented introduction to the cyberworld. Although academic in tone, the book is easy to read as it explores the many facets of life on the “Net”. Because it is based on clinical research, it gets a bit wearying near the end. However, it is well presented, very inclusive, and quite interesting.

NonFiction

Updated 02-25-00