The Paradox of Internet Groups: Alone in the Presence of Virtual Others

ISBN-13: 9781855758933 / Angielski / Miękka / 2014 / 224 str.

Haim Weinberg

Opis

The new virtual era is already here. We use the internet every day, to retrieve information, to purchase merchandise, and to connect with others. But do we really understand the psychology of the internet and how it affects our lives?

In this book, Dr Haim Weinberg looks at cyberspace from a group analytic perspective, conceptualizing internet forums as large groups with the illusion of being small groups, and using his expertise as a group therapist to shed new light on internet connections. He explores issues of attachment, relationships, inter-subjectivity, and neuroscience, and shows their relevance to the virtual world. He discusses the question of intimacy and develops a new concept of E-intimacy that better suits internet bonding. He also examines the multicultural issues found in internet forums, and the leadership qualities needed to manage these issues. Finally, he claims that there is a link which connects us through the world wide web: the internet unconscious.

Spis treści

New International Library of Group Analysis Foreword -- Introduction -- It is all about relationships -- The frame of reference of group analysis -- Cultures and (virtual) groups: the Internet culture -- The non-body on the Internet: presence, immediacy, subjects, and (group) therapy -- Boundaries, boundaries, boundaries (and the forum manager/group leader's role) -- A large group with the illusion of a small group: listserve and forum dynamics -- The Internet and the social unconscious: from intimacy to E-ntimacy© -- Yalom's therapeutic factors virtually examined -- Conclusion

O autorze

Haim Weinberg is a Californian and Israeli licensed psychologist and group analyst. He is Past-president of the Northern California Group Psychotherapy Society and the Israeli Association of Group Psychotherapy. He is the director of an international doctorate program in psychology with an emphasis on group psychotherapy at the Professional School of Psychology, Sacramento, California, where he serves as the academic Vice President.