Posted by boB on April 8, 2000, at 12:01:51
In reply to The ignorant research subject, posted by Abby on April 7, 2000, at 20:35:09
Dr. Bob,
The study you propose would be what laypeople will classify as soft science, contributing perhaps to the understanding of social psychology. Do you have a strong backround in social psychology to inform your analysis of the interactions here? I think you would need to refer to some expertise in the field of internet communication, which is (i recall, cant say where) being established at some schools. Media psychology comes into play as well.
Beyond finding the appropriate expertise to focus and analyze the data, I would wonder what dynamic of the group you would study, and to what you would compare the study. We could find a wide variety of sites where group dynamics are at play. I would really encourage you to look at Neil Slade's discussion board, because there, the group dynamic is somewhat authoritarian and seems to be an example of influence (Neil's) in decision making (the decision by people to say they are happy when they do what Neil says). I referenced his board on an earlier post (Amygdala clicking). Anomynity allows a wide range of behaviours in internet dialogue, which probably reveals a strong element of crowd or group behaviour.
I know of another site that generated a cascade of blank, sarcastic postings requesting Nude Spice Girl Pictures. That was in interesting phenomenon. (www.skepticult.org) The discussion board, for some reason, was pulled or hacked or something.
My suggestion, considering your expertise, would be that your do research to correlate neurochemical and other neurological states with behaviours and with group behaviours. I would also encourage you to explain neurobiological realities to lay people in a way that might resolve some of the anxiety many of us feel over what is really the normal range of human feelings.
You nemesis,
boB
poster:boB
thread:29211
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000401/msgs/29304.html