Dr Nicola Fox Hamilton | Ep 3

In this episode of Confessions of a CyberPsychologist, I chat to Nicola about her journey to Cyberpsychology, how the 2008 economic crash in Ireland pivoted her into pursue a master’s degree in Cyberpsychology – which led her to completing a PhD.

She shared how her unique background in design has influenced her research and informs her ability to communicate research effectively. We also talk about:

The World of Online Dating:
Nicola’s research focuses is online dating, how we judge other’s personality from their online profile in addition to research, how we present ourselves online through our dating profiles the challenges of building genuine connections through dating profiles. Her research focus. Key insights include:

• The difficulty of expressing personality within limited character counts on profiles.
• A fascinating contrast in how Irish and American men construct dating profiles.
• The gamification of dating apps like Tinder, which transformed online dating into a mainstream activity, especially among younger generations.
• The cultural perception of online dating has changed in the last decade, especially since the launch of Tinder and the 2020 Lockdowns – specifically the hyper-personal communication that didn’t always translate into offline compatibility.

Her Teaching and Programme Development at IADT:
Nicola oversees Ireland’s master’s programme in Cyberpsychology. She highlighted the available Masters programmes and what CyberPsychology educational opportunities IADT offers – both this year and future academic years, in person and online: the Cyberpsychology certificate and 2-year part-time Masters and what criteria are required for each to be considered for entry into the IADT programmes.

Work outside the University:

The talks, webinars, seminars and media interviews she has done and is available to do and how to get in touch with her if you would like her to talk about a specific topic in CyberPsychology.

Her Audible Book and Media Work:
Nicola’s audiobook, The Psychology of Online Behaviour (Audible Only),  is an accessible introduction to cyberpsychology, tackling misconceptions about technology’s impact on behaviour.

She reflects on how her book and media engagements aim to dispel myths and the moral panic and narratives being pushed by some mass media and provide a balanced perspective on issues like social media, gaming, and screen time. She also reflects on the role cognitive bias plays in media consumption.

Upcoming Podcast and Future Endeavours:
The podcast she is planning, alongside a colleague – due to launch in the summer of 2024. The podcast will delve deeper into cyberpsychology topics. With a conversational format, the they will explore the psychological mechanisms behind our online behaviours and discuss cutting-edge research.

Key Takeaways:

• Online dating has evolved from a “desperate” measure to an engaging, gamified experience, but challenges persist in accurately perceiving others online.
• Cyberpsychology bridges the gap between online and offline worlds, emphasising that our online interactions are simply extensions of ourselves.
• Education about technology’s impacts, especially for parents and educators, is crucial to balancing risks with opportunities.