Ethical Challenges in Digital Psychology and Cyberpsychology

Explores the ethical issues of cyberpsychology research and praxes, which arise in algorithmically paired people and technologies.

Thomas D. Parsons (Author)

9781108428781, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 14 November 2019

356 pages, 37 b/w illus.
23.5 x 15.6 x 2 cm, 0.68 kg

'This book explores some of the most important, complex, and challenging issues facing humanity today. With this comprehensive yet accessible resource, Thomas D. Parsons leads the way in developing a branch of neuroscientifically informed cyberethics to help scientists and society navigate through a rapidly growing and constantly evolving field.' Brendan Rooney, University College Dublin

Our technologies are progressively developing into algorithmic devices that seamlessly interface with digital personhood. This text discusses the ways in which technology is increasingly becoming a part of personhood and the resulting ethical issues. It extends upon the framework for a brain-based cyberpsychology outlined by the author's earlier book Cyberpsychology and the Brain: The Interaction of Neuroscience and Affective Computing (Cambridge, 2017). Using this framework, Thomas D. Parsons investigates the ethical issues involved in cyberpsychology research and praxes, which emerge in algorithmically coupled people and technologies. The ethical implications of these ideas are important as we consider the cognitive enhancements that can be afforded by our technologies. If people are intimately linked to their technologies, then removing or damaging the technology could be tantamount to a personal attack. On the other hand, algorithmic devices may threaten autonomy and privacy. This book reviews these and other issues.

Part I. Introduction: 1. Cyberpsychology theory and praxes: Ethical and methodological considerations
2. Ethical approaches to cyberpsychology
3. Digital and extended selves in cyberspace
4. Neuroethics and the future of cyberpsychology
Part II. Ethical Cyberpsychology Research and Interventions with Special Populations: 5. Cyberlearning and ethical considerations for using technology with children
6. Cyberpsychology, aging, and gerontechnology
7. Problematic Internet use, online gambling, smartphones, and videogames
8. Telepsychology and the ethical delivery of eTherapy
Part III. Ethical Issues in Social Media and Internet Research: 9. Social media ethics Section 1: Facebook, Twitter, and Google – oh my!
10. Social media ethics Section 2: Ethical research with social media
11. Social media ethics Section 3: Digital Citizenship
Part IV. Applied Ethical Considerations: 12. Virtual reality ethics
13. Videogames, videogamers, and the ethics of videogame design.

Subject Areas: Popular psychology [VSP], Human-computer interaction [UYZ], Human reproduction, growth & development [MFK], Social, group or collective psychology [JMH], Ethics & moral philosophy [HPQ]