1. What does a cyberpsychologist
do, really?
Dr Jens Binder
Nottingham Trent University

2. Cyberpsychology – all new and emerging?
Psychology and ICTs – scepticism prevails
But it does have noticeable effects?!
Pew Internet Project, Mobile fact sheet

3. Why a cyberpsychologist?
• “Online is a special environment”
– Ubiquity of technology
– Accessibility of services
– Persistence of content
– Broadcasting of information
• Import/adapt ‘offline’ theories and
methods
• Traffic accidents, online dating &
socialising, cyberbullying, addictive
behaviours etc

4. User motivation updated
• Beyond uses & gratifications: process!
• Successful theories of motivation transferred to gaming:
SDT and AGT
motivational climate
+
own competence
=
gaming experience

5. User motivation updated
• Instructional games and education
• Online training and staff development
• Self-presentational web services
• Technology acceptance for everyday activities
0
1
2
3
4
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6
LC NC LC NC
Mastery Performance
Female Male
Rose, Binder, & Bartholomew (under review)

6. Social media and networking
The sky is the limit?
Have SNS changed our social lives? Yes and No.
– The social capital debate
– FOMO
– Social spheres
Buglass, Binder, Betts, & Underwood (unpubl. data)

7. Social media and vulnerabilities
Diversity of social spheres  risk of online social tension (Binder,
Howes, & Smart, 2012)
User group Other Self
13 - 15 yrs 18% 24%
16 – 18 yrs 27% 43%
20 – 77 yrs 61% 23%
Buglass, Binder, Betts, & Underwood (unpubl. data)
Reported/Suspected misuse of
Facebook information

8. Thank you!
jens.binder@ntu.ac.uk
http://www.ntu.ac.uk/apps/staff_profiles/staff_directory/125265-0/26/jens_binder.aspx
http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jens_Binder