COMM 3353: Communication Web Technologies I Chapter 9a: Social Implications Chapter 9a: Social Implications

COMM 3353:Communication Web Technologies I

COMM 3353:Communication Web Technologies I

Chapter 9a:Social Implications

Chapter 9a:Social Implications

www.class.uh.edu/comm/classes/comm3353/ppt/_Pres9a.html

Social ImplicationsSocial Implications

Internet Use, Abuse, and Addiction Mass Media Use Societal Changes and Technology Effects of Media Messages

Internet Use, Abuse, and Addiction Mass Media Use Societal Changes and Technology Effects of Media Messages

Internet Use, Abuse, and AddictionInternet Use, Abuse, and Addiction

Technology aside, internet growth brings about all kinds of new questions about its use. People don’t stop to think about the impact this major

technology has (or will have) on our lives. Researchers have been studying the psychological,

sociological, physiological effects on humans. This is just as important as studying the technology itself.

Ergonomics, for starters. . .

Technology aside, internet growth brings about all kinds of new questions about its use. People don’t stop to think about the impact this major

technology has (or will have) on our lives. Researchers have been studying the psychological,

sociological, physiological effects on humans. This is just as important as studying the technology itself.

Ergonomics, for starters. . .

The effects of TV The “Couch Potato” syndrome 98 percent of all homes in the US have at least

one TV. +/- 7 hours daily

TV, Newspapers, Magazines, etc. . . People like to read as well as watch TV.

With work, TV, and other entertainment, how much time is left for the internet?

The effects of TV The “Couch Potato” syndrome 98 percent of all homes in the US have at least

one TV. +/- 7 hours daily

TV, Newspapers, Magazines, etc. . . People like to read as well as watch TV.

With work, TV, and other entertainment, how much time is left for the internet?

Internet Use, Abuse, and Addiction, Continued…


Some people spend hours in front of the computer Chat, games, email, surfing. . . People seem to spend too much time

online. Economics of time and the “Online” issue.

Some people spend hours in front of the computer Chat, games, email, surfing. . . People seem to spend too much time

online. Economics of time and the “Online” issue.



The Web as an Opiate Some people’s happiness is dependent

upon their daily fix of the Internet. Socially awkward because the mind is

psychologically fooled into believing that time spent online is part of the norm

Physiologically causes the brain to produce endorphins (pleasure) whenever someone is logged on.

The Web as an Opiate Some people’s happiness is dependent

upon their daily fix of the Internet. Socially awkward because the mind is

psychologically fooled into believing that time spent online is part of the norm

Physiologically causes the brain to produce endorphins (pleasure) whenever someone is logged on.



Internet Addiction Caused by the body’s need for the Internet

Fix. . . CIU (Compulsive Internet Use) and IAD (Internet

Addiction Disorder) Major advancement in the medical field. Doctors actually treat patients who overuse the

Internet. IAD changes people’s behavior for the worse. . .

Missed work, relationship trouble, academic trouble.

Internet Addiction Caused by the body’s need for the Internet

Fix. . . CIU (Compulsive Internet Use) and IAD (Internet

Addiction Disorder) Major advancement in the medical field. Doctors actually treat patients who overuse the

Internet. IAD changes people’s behavior for the worse. . .

Missed work, relationship trouble, academic trouble.



The Internet’s Addictive Technologies: MUD eMail UseNet Newsgroups The WWW in general

The Internet’s Addictive Technologies: MUD eMail UseNet Newsgroups The WWW in general



IAD Warning Signs: 1) Compulsively checking email. 2) Anticipation of the next Internet session. 3) Spending too much time online. 4) Spending too much money online.

IAD Warning Signs: 1) Compulsively checking email. 2) Anticipation of the next Internet session. 3) Spending too much time online. 4) Spending too much money online.



CIU and IAD Research: Columbia University

IAD Support Group and major researcher in the IAD phenomenon.

Dr. Ivan Goldberg, professor of Psychiatry

University of Pittsburgh Founded the Center for Online Addiction.

CIU and IAD Research: Columbia University

IAD Support Group and major researcher in the IAD phenomenon.

Dr. Ivan Goldberg, professor of Psychiatry

University of Pittsburgh Founded the Center for Online Addiction.



Other Research: 22 percent of survey respondents reported

a “cocaine”-like rush while online. Most of these people were addicted to caffeine

as well.

12 percent said that the Internet “relaxed” them.

Other Research: 22 percent of survey respondents reported

a “cocaine”-like rush while online. Most of these people were addicted to caffeine

as well.

12 percent said that the Internet “relaxed” them.



Mass Media UseMass Media Use

Why has the Internet and WWW become so popular, so quickly? People like lots of choices.

Mass media has paved the way for electronic interaction. First Newsprint, then Radio, the TV, and now. . .

People like the web because it has millions of pages, but its unlikely that any one person will ever view every single page on the web.

Why has the Internet and WWW become so popular, so quickly? People like lots of choices.

Mass media has paved the way for electronic interaction. First Newsprint, then Radio, the TV, and now. . .

People like the web because it has millions of pages, but its unlikely that any one person will ever view every single page on the web.

Speed Another aspect of Mass Media and the Web is the

speed at which people access different locations and documents. The ability to sit in Houston while instantaneously

communicating with someone from Europe is very attractive and convenient.

People not only like all these choices, but also like the speed at which those choices become available. Human wants and needs are insatiable.

Speed Another aspect of Mass Media and the Web is the

speed at which people access different locations and documents. The ability to sit in Houston while instantaneously

communicating with someone from Europe is very attractive and convenient.

People not only like all these choices, but also like the speed at which those choices become available. Human wants and needs are insatiable.

Mass Media Use, Continued…Mass Media Use, Continued…

Societal Changes and TechnologySocietal Changes and Technology

The Evolution of a Modern, Technical Society Classical Theorem on Social Living

A result of major social interaction.

Strong community Strength in Numbers Group Norms and Values

The Evolution of a Modern, Technical Society Classical Theorem on Social Living

A result of major social interaction.

Strong community Strength in Numbers Group Norms and Values

The Evolution of a Modern, Technical Society, Continued. . . Modern Theorem on Social Living

A result of little or less social interaction by the general populous.

Strong individuality Lacking in behavioral responsibility Individual idealism If it feels good. . . Do it!

The Evolution of a Modern, Technical Society, Continued. . . Modern Theorem on Social Living

A result of little or less social interaction by the general populous.

Strong individuality Lacking in behavioral responsibility Individual idealism If it feels good. . . Do it!

Societal Changes and Technology, Continued…


Gemeinshaft vs. Gesellschaft Two basic types of Social Organization

Ferdinand Tonnies (1877)

Gemeinshaft (Community) A Society bound tightly together in many ways:

Blood relationships Tradition Ritual Religion Work

Gemeinshaft vs. Gesellschaft Two basic types of Social Organization

Ferdinand Tonnies (1877)

Gemeinshaft (Community) A Society bound tightly together in many ways:

Blood relationships Tradition Ritual Religion Work



Gesellschaft (Society) A society whereby its members coexist

contractually with industrialization, division of labor, specialization, and urban expansion.

Acquaintance relationships New ideas Contacts Consequences Corporate America

Gesellschaft (Society) A society whereby its members coexist

contractually with industrialization, division of labor, specialization, and urban expansion.

Acquaintance relationships New ideas Contacts Consequences Corporate America



Mass Society and Mass Media WW1 and Propaganda

Brought about the need to study the effects of Mass Media on society.

Allies needed a way to rally civilians toward the war effort.

Mass Media organized propaganda dissemination.

Mass Society and Mass Media WW1 and Propaganda

Brought about the need to study the effects of Mass Media on society.

Allies needed a way to rally civilians toward the war effort.

Mass Media organized propaganda dissemination.



Effects of Media MessagesEffects of Media Messages

Categories of the effects of mass communication on society: Researchers and Sociologist have been

studying mass media’s effects on individuals since WW1 and have developed three main categories: Cognitive Change Emotional / Attitudinal Change Behavioral Change

Categories of the effects of mass communication on society: Researchers and Sociologist have been

studying mass media’s effects on individuals since WW1 and have developed three main categories: Cognitive Change Emotional / Attitudinal Change Behavioral Change

Cognitive Change Occurs when an individual learns

something new as a result of time spent online. Book example:

Herpes Homepage Virtual Frog

Cognitive Change Occurs when an individual learns

something new as a result of time spent online. Book example:

Herpes Homepage Virtual Frog

Effects of Media Messages, Continued…


Emotional / Attitudinal Change Occurs when exposure to items online effect

someone’s attitude and/or emotion. WW2 and images of genocide Starving children in Africa Clinton scandal

Repeated exposure to the Internet may bring about emotional change, and the Internet’s unlimited storage capabilities make this easy.

Emotional / Attitudinal Change Occurs when exposure to items online effect

someone’s attitude and/or emotion. WW2 and images of genocide Starving children in Africa Clinton scandal

Repeated exposure to the Internet may bring about emotional change, and the Internet’s unlimited storage capabilities make this easy.



Behavioral Change Occurs when a person acts differently than

he or she normally does as a result of time spent online. Buying eProducts Online (unsecured) spending Online chat group participation Economics of time and the online experience.

Behavioral Change Occurs when a person acts differently than

he or she normally does as a result of time spent online. Buying eProducts Online (unsecured) spending Online chat group participation Economics of time and the online experience.



The Internet and theWorld Wide Web

The Internet and theWorld Wide Web

• End Chapter 9, Part I.

• End Chapter 9, Part I.

Documents

COMM 3353: Communication Web Technologies I Chapter 9a: Social Implications Chapter 9a: Social Implications