How Do We Approach Research on Our Increasing Use of Technology?

In her review of Sherry Turkle's book Alone Together: Why We Expect More From Technology and Less From Each Other, Marianne LaFrance notes that Turkle expresses concern about whether virtual intimacy degrades real intimacy and what happens when people (including children and youth) would rather text than talk; however, LaFrance notes that Turkle does not base her concerns on current research.

What should be the research goals in investigating the causes and effects (positive or negative) of being increasingly online, whether through cell phones, texting, e-mail, social networking, or other forms of communication? What do we know, either from psychological research or from research in other areas (such as communication), and what do we still need to know? What may be some of the mediators and moderators of these effects?

Read the Review

We, Lonely Robots
By Marianne LaFrance
      PsycCRITIQUES, 2011 Vol 56(51)