Book Information
- Book Name: The Wiley Handbook of Psychology, Technology, and Society;
- Autors: Larry D. Rosen, Nancy L. Cheever along with Mark Carrier;
- Date of publication and publisher: Wiley Blackwell (New York, NY), June 2 2015.
- Background of the author: Larry D. Rosen is known as a researcher and educator who was the chair for the Psychology Department at California State University. Rosen is Professor Emeritus. He has studied computer science and psychology for a long time and is known as an invited presenter ( Larry D. Rosen Ph.D., 2016). His extensive knowledge of the psychology behind technology has allowed him to significantly contribute to the writing process for the book. Nancy L. Cheevers has also worked at California State University. She is an Associate Professor , Chair and Director of Communications as well as an advisor and an option coordinator for journalists ( Nancy A. Cheever, Ph.D., n.d.). Mark Carrier, in turn is a Professor in the Psychology Department at the California State University (L. Mark Carrier, n.d.).
- The key issues discussed in the book are: Rosen, Cheever, and Carrier analyze the relationship between sociolinguistic challenges and IT elements that inhibit or contribute to their growth. Researchers investigate the technology’s psychological effects, i.e., the impacts that IT technologies have on individuals’ personal and cognitive development. Furthermore, Rosen et al. (2015) have shed an abundance of information about the effects technology has on children, emphasizing the importance of the use of IT technologies as a means of accelerating the development of young learners. The impact that social media have on social progress, values, and the trends of the current global society are also studied with great care. Finally, Rosen et al. (2015) (454) study the impact of media on diverse viewers. Therefore, a thorough review of the benefits and drawbacks of IT tools to aid in social interaction and education is thoroughly studied.
The Book’s Structure
Psychology of Technology Psychology of Technology
The Acute and Constant Impact of Technology on our Brains 2 Commonalities and Distinctions in Personal, Workplace and technology-related values, beliefs and attitudes across five Generations of Americans; 3 Internet Credibility and Digital Media Literacy Gender Digital Divide: Does exist? And what is the Cause? Access and attitudes towards Digital Technologies Across the Adult Lifespan Research from Distance Education as well as the process of navigating psychological Ethics in Multi-User Shared Online Environments
- The link between the psychological development an individual and their use of technology is recognized;
- The potential for personal growth that technology is supposed to offer is discussed;
- The ethical issues in technology as well as gender-related concerns are addressed.
Children, teens, and technology
Executive Function in risky online behavior of adolescents and young Adults; Cyberbullying: Prevalence and the underlying causes, as well as the consequences A Step towards understanding Cross-National and Cross-Cultural Differences in Cyberbullying sexual Communication within The Digital Age; Mobile Phone Dependency: What’s the fuss about? Examining the written Language of Text messages; texting behavior and Language Skills in Adults and Children; Do “Friends” Electronic? What are the reasons that people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) thrive in online Cultures however, they struggle in offline Cultures;
- The authors examine the opportunities that technology offers youngsters;
- The evolution of gender issues and sexuality within an environment of communication via digital media is discussed in detail;
- The choices for people suffering from developmental problems (particularly autism) are listed below.
Social Media
The Social Media and Depression The relationship between sexuality Alcohol as well as Depression Adolescent Health Information on Social Media Investigating the privacy and disclosure issues in the Digital Age: Risks and benefits; The emergence in the Mobile Social Network Platforms on the Mobile Internet; Technology and Self-Presentation: The Implication for Management Online; Narcissism, the emergence of Media and the Society;
Multitasking
The search for the Generation M Can Multitasking practice improve multitasking skills? Multitasking and Attention Effects on College Students understanding Multimedia Multitasking in Education Multitasking, Note-taking, and Learning in Technology-Imperative Learning environments The Interrupted Task and Multitasking From Theory to Practice;
- Privacy is the most important concern of electronic communication is resolved;
- Multitasking opportunities in the academic setting are discussed.
The Impact of the Media on Audiences and Cultivation in the Twenty-First century; Internet Addiction; Smashing the Screen: Violent Video Game Effects What’s the current knowledge about Video Game and Internet Addiction after DSM-5 and the Future of Technology in Education.
- Divers audiences for whom IT media targets are mentioned;
- The myths surrounding videogames and their potential impact on violence levels are addressed;
- Future possibilities for the use of IT tools within the academic context are examined.
Connection to the book of Kranzberg’s “Laws of Science and Technology”
Technological advancement implies continuous movement and, consequently constant progress, determining the features that will be applicable to every technological advancement that shakes up the market and re-invents communications processes of the world’s society is an extremely difficult job. Kranzberg (1995) however, has managed to pick out the basic principles that could be discerned when looking at the interaction of people with technological advances regardless of time.
The assumptions presented by Rosen and co. (2015) within their study are in accordance with the principles set out by Kranzberg and means that the study of Rosen and colleagues. (2015) not just important and informative, but also timeless. Although it was an invention of the past The book also addresses the challenges that can arise in the event of any disruptive technology.
In fact, a close analysis of the arguments made by Rosen and others. (2015) will reveal that they agree with the assertions that was made by Kranzberg in his first law, i.e., the reality that technology is not categorised in terms of positive or negative; rather it should be seen as a tool to achieve the goal. Rosen et al. (2015) highlight the possibilities that the most recent technological advances can provide but they also do not avoid discussing some of the issues of their application in the context of the world community.
The opportunities to improve media literacy among individuals of the world population are discussed as well as the dangers that modern technology can pose to health (Rosen and co. 2015, pp. 3-56).
In this way, the author of the work makes clear that all digital devices, which includes social media, as well as other kinds of IT developments, are just instruments, and their outcomes depend on the objectives they set for their users, the technical savvy of users as well as their knowledge of possibilities of issues that might arise when deploying technologically advanced IT media, and so on. The negative consequences of the modern media and the positive effects, are determined by the decisions made by individuals while technology itself is neutral in its effects. Therefore, the objective assessment of the threats and opportunities that the use of the latest IT tools could lead is in line in line with the principle of the First Law proposed by Kranzberg (Altman and Avery 2015).
- The law second to Kranzberg which states that inventions are shaped by necessity, is also in the background of the book by Rosen and co. (2015) For example, the authors highlight the need for a more speedy pace of globalization as well as the subsequent requirement to be involved in continuous cross-cultural interaction has led to the necessity of using tools that enable multitasking. As the most recent IT developments provide the opportunity to participate in multiple tasks at the same time and be part of the process of communication with multiple participants at a time (e.g. using chats and social media, for instance. ) In addition, the idea of the authors’ technological advancement as a result of the necessity for a dialogue between people from different cultures is in complete agreement with the assertion made by Kranzberg. In addition, the phenomenon that is known as blogging is also seen within the text as an consequence of the need to exchange information globally.
According to Rosen and co. (2015) blogs provide users a variety of possibilities to share information, and, even more crucial, they facilitate an active dialogue process through talking about the issues discussed in blogs.
Therefore, the absence of interaction, actually can be compensated by the ability to participate in online discussions. Additionally blogs are seen as being the result of the need to share knowledge and experience, as well as to gain new skills and knowledge particularly in the area of intercultural communication is related. It is not necessary to mention that knowing about the different cultures is vital to successful negotiations as well as the managing of conflicts between cultures. Blogs or like IT tools, for instance helps in learning about different cultures, and thus helping to avoid conflict between cultures. Thus, the second law cited by Kranzberg is confirmed by Rosen and colleagues. (2015)
A third principle, that says that technology is made up of packages and that modern technologies are extremely complicated and comprise a number of elements or processes. For more specifics this statement implies that the design and development of the latest technological tools usually require the execution of a wide range of tasks that require the cooperation of experts across many areas.
Thus, a multidisciplinary approach is typically required to accomplish an assignment that requires the use of cutting-edge technology. Rosen et al. (2015) In their themselves, expand on the idea by stating that collaboration isn’t just essential but is also essential within the context of world-wide communities. In this way, the authors of the book state that to start an era of worldwide communication using the aid by IT devices, it is a coordinated effort from a vast number of communities and participants will be needed. One could put forward a slender argument that Rosen and colleagues. (2015) do not mention the specific law in any way.
But, the fact that the current global communications process and use of relevant IT tools are extremely diverse is stated clearly in the book of Rosen and colleagues. (2015). In the same way, the researchers of the study discuss the notion of cyberbullying as a significant issue in the contemporary online world in a multidisciplinary manner. Also, Rosen et al. (2015) insist on the necessity of utilizing multiple stages in managing the problem, and inviting experts from different disciplines to think about the issue and collaborate to ensure its effective management. The book therefore aligns with the basic principles of Kranzberg’s 3rd law in full.
The subject of technological determinism is addressed by the author in his book. Based on the definition currently in use technology determinism means that the development of disruptive technology, and technological advancement, generally speaking determines the norms that are accepted by the society of target (Servaes 2014). This means that the development of IT technologies is supposedly a part of changing the values and norms in society which in turn, encourages not just the professional, but also personal growth for the users.
The idea in question isn’t discussed in the book in any way. Indeed, Rosen et al. (2015) do not claim the existence of a link between the creation of new values, or the subversion of traditional values and the integration of a specific IT technology in the process of communication. The importance in technology being among the major driving elements behind the transformation of the social norms and values is highlighted by the author in his book.
For instance, Rosen et al. (2015) affirm that the integration of IT technologies in the global communication system results in a huge increase of diversity within the world community. In the process, people become more open to the beliefs and theories, thus increasing tolerance and the capacity to participate in cross-cultural communications through negotiation and resolving conflicts effectively.
It is important to note that we must not forget that thanks to technology as a medium to facilitate the constant intercultural dialogue, even the notion of conflict has been transformed and specifically it is now common to view conflicts as a way to learn about other cultures, as well as efficient ways of engaging with them. Thus, technology is a major factor in the evolution towards acceptance and tolerance in the world community, in addition to a significant increase in the diversity levels of.
So, it could be presumed that Rosen and colleagues. (2015) provide indirect evidence of the possibilities in the development of new values and standards, with the aid of disruptive IT developments in social media and technology. Therefore, the subject of technological determinism is discussed in depth in the book as well as Rosen and co. (2015) appear to be in favor of this theory although they do not say explicitly that they are in favor of the specific theory.
Conclusion
Technological advancement is inevitable and crucial for the functioning of the society. It allows people in the world to engage with one another effectively and to develop the abilities which will enable them to participate in a conversation with a diverse group of people successfully while avoiding conflicts and effectively negotiating. Their book Rosen et as. (2015) examine the impact of technology in the present, evaluating the negative and positive effects of its use.