Dr Chris Fullwood | Ep 6

Dr Chris Fullwood | Ep 6

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Exploring Identity, Self Preservation Online and the Psychology of Technology Use.
Dr. Chris Fullwood discusses cyberpsychology’s evolution, AI’s impact, self-presentation online, and virtual reality’s effects on identity, offering deep insights into the psychology of technology.
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Dr Chris Fullwood

Dr. Chris Fullwood is a Senior Lecturer at Birmingham City University, and one of the founding members of the British Psychological Society’s Cyberpsychology Section. He was part of the working group tasked with updating the BPS’s Internet Mediated Research guidelines in 2020. 

Main CyberPsychology Expertise:
  • How we manage the impressions of others within various online spaces (e.g., online dating, social media), a
  • The ramifications of more unconstrained self-presentation, e.g on the impressions that others form of us as well as our own self-perceptions. 
Chris is also a Supervisor to PhD students.

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Chris shares his journey into the fascinating world of cyberpsychology, from his childhood inspiration, sparked by his father’s passion for early computing technology, to becoming a pioneering researcher in the field, Chris provides an insightful narrative of his academic and professional growth.

Key Highlights:

  • Roots in Technology and Psychology: Chris credits his father’s love for technology and a pivotal switch to studying psychology during his A-levels for steering him toward his current path. His early fascination with human behavior and technological interactions formed the foundation of his academic journey.
  • PhD on Video-Mediated Communication: Chris completed his PhD in the late 1990s, exploring how video conferencing impacted person perception and interaction—years before video communication became mainstream. His findings revealed enduring biases, such as disadvantages faced by virtual candidates in job interviews compared to those interviewed in person.
  • Cyberpsychology’s Evolution and Importance: As a social psychologist turned cyberpsychologist, Chris has dedicated his career to understanding how technology shapes self-presentation, communication, and societal behaviors. His seminal Presentation of Online Self Scale (POS) measures how individuals curate their online identities across platforms.
  • Challenges and Opportunities with AI: Chris discusses his latest research on how artificial intelligence impacts creative industries, particularly artists concerned about the ethical and economic implications of generative AI tools.
  • Virtual Reality and the Self: A fascinating discussion on the “Proteus Effect” reveals how embodying avatars in virtual environments can temporarily alter real-world behavior and confidence levels, raising intriguing questions about identity and future implications in the metaverse.
  • The Future of Cyberpsychology: Chris reflects on the challenges and opportunities for cyberpsychology, emphasizing the need for further integration into industries and broader societal applications. While the UK’s momentum has slowed, international interest in cyberpsychology continues to grow.
  • Recommended Reads: Chris highlights The Oxford Handbook of Cyberpsychology for foundational principles and Stranger in the Mirror by Robert Levine for an exploration of the self, which includes insights into virtual reality and identity.

Dr. Fullwood offers a blend of academic depth and real-world relevance, making this episode a must-listen for anyone curious about the interplay between psychology and technology. Whether you’re a student, professional, or simply intrigued by the digital age’s psychological implications, this conversation provides valuable insights into the rapidly evolving field of cyberpsychology.

Research and Publications

Books and Edited Volumes

  • Attrill-Smith, A., Fullwood, C., Keep, M., Kuss, D. (2019). The Oxford Handbook of Cyberpsychology. OUP, Oxford.
  • Fullwood, C., & Attrill-Smith, A. (2018). Special issue on ‘constructing the self online’. Cyberpsychology, Social Networking and Behavior, volume 21, issue 1, January 2018.
  • Wiederhold, B.K., Riva, G., Fullwood, C., Attrill-Smith, A. & Kirwan, G. (2017). Annual Review of Cybertherapy and Telemedicine Vol 15. Amsterdam: IOS Press.
  • Attrill, A., & Fullwood, C. (2016). Applied Cyberpsychology: Practical applications of cyberpsychological research and theory. Palgrave Macmillan.

Book Chapters

  • Fullwood, C. (2019). Impression management and self-presentation online. In A. Attrill-Smith, C. Fullwood, M. Keep & D. Kuss (Eds.). The Oxford Handbook of Cyberpsychology. OUP, Oxford.
  • Lloyd, J., Attrill-Smith, A., & Fullwood, C. (2019). Online romantic relationships. In A. Attrill-Smith, C. Fullwood, M. Keep & D. Kuss (Eds.). The Oxford Handbook of Cyberpsychology. OUP, Oxford.
  • Popovac, M., & Fullwood, C. (2019). The Psychology of online lurking. In A. Attrill-Smith, C. Fullwood, M. Keep & D. Kuss (Eds.). The Oxford Handbook of Cyberpsychology. OUP, Oxford.
  • Fullwood, C. (2016). Online support groups: Enhancing the user experience with cyberpsychological theory. In A. Attrill & C. Fullwood (Eds.). Applied Cyberpsychology: Practical applications of cyberpsychological research and theory. Palgrave Macmillan.
  • Myddleton, J., & Fullwood, C. (2016). Social media impact on organisations. In A. Attrill & C. Fullwood (Eds.). Applied Cyberpsychology: Practical applications of cyberpsychological research and theory. Palgrave Macmillan.
  • Fullwood, C. (2015). The role of personality in online self-presentation. In A. Attrill (Ed.) Cyberpsychology (pp. 9-28). Oxford University Press, Oxford.
  • Chadwick, D., Fullwood, C., & Wesson, C. (2013). Intellectual disability, identity and the Internet. In R. Luppicini (Ed.) Handbook of research on technoself: identity in a technological society, USA: IGI Global (pp. 229-254) (ISBN 978-1-4666-2211-1).
  • Fullwood, C., & Finn, M. (2010). Video-mediated communication and impression formation: An integrative review. In A.C. Rayler (Ed.), Videoconferencing: Technology, Impact and Applications (pp. 35-55). Nova Science (ISBN 978-1616682859).

Full Published Conference Papers

  • Wilsdon, L., Uther, M., Chadwick, D. and Fullwood, C. (2022) Using audio-mixing software to facilitate remote data collection of conversational interactions. In Proceedings of the 35th BCS Human-Computer Interaction Conference, 11th-13th July, 2022, Keele University.
  • Chadwick, D., Fullwood, C., & Wesson, C. (2019). Carer communication and support for digital inclusion of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 63(7), 746-746. 5th IASSIDD World Congress. Glasgow, Scotland, 6th – 9th August, 2019.
  • Fullwood, C., Boultwood, E., & Chadwick, D. (2019). “Thanks for writing but I’m not interested”: A qualitative analysis of men’s experience of online dating. In A. Marcus & W. Wang (eds.) Design, user experience, and usability. Practice and case studies. 8th International Conference, DUXU 2019, held as part of the 21st HCI International Conference, HCII 2019, Orlando, Florida, Proceedings Part IV.
  • Wilsdon, L., & Fullwood, C. (2017). The effect of immersion and presence in a Virtual Reality public speaking task. In B. K. Wiederhold, G. Riva, C. Fullwood, A. Attrill-Smith & G. Kirwan (Eds.), Annual Review of Cybertherapy and Telemedicine Vol 15. (pp. 211-213). Amsterdam: IOS Press.
  • Fox Hamilton, N., Fullwood, C., & Kirwan, G. (2015). Language in online dating texts: Trait identification, homophily, and their effect on attraction. In B. K. Wiederhold, G. Riva, & M. D. Wiederhold (Eds.), Annual Review of Cybertherapy and Telemedicine Vol. 13. (pp. 112–116). Amsterdam: IOS Press.
  • Ballam, D., & Fullwood, C. (2010). Fluidity of personal boundaries in online social media: implications for netiquette. In M. Anderson (Ed.) Contemporary Ergonomics and Human Factors2010. London: Taylor Francis (pp. 391-399) (ISBN 978-0415584463).
  • Davis, S.J., Fullwood, C., Martino, O.I., Derrer, N.M, & Morris, N. (2006). Here’s looking at you: a review of the nonverbal limitations of VMC. In P.D. Bust (Ed.) Contemporary Ergonomics 2006.London: Taylor and Francis (pp. 290-292) (ISBN: 978-0415398183).
  • Derrer, N.M., Fullwood, C., Davis, S.J., Martino, O.I., & Morris, N. (2006). An initial face-to-face meeting improves person-perceptions of interviewees across VMC. In P.D. Bust (Ed.) Contemporary Ergonomics 2006. London: Taylor and Francis (pp. 296-298).
  • Fullwood, C., Derrer, N.M., Martino, O.I., Davis, S., & Morris, N. (2006). The effect of an icebreaker on collaborative performance across a video link. In P.D. Bust (Ed.) Contemporary Ergonomics 2006. London: Taylor and Francis (pp. 293-295) (ISBN: 978-0415398183).
  • Martino, O.I., Fullwood, C., Davis, S.J., Derrer, N.M., & Morris, N. (2006). Maximising VMC: The effects of system quality and set-up on communicative success. In P.D. Bust (Eds.) Contemporary Ergonomics 2006. London: Taylor and Francis (pp. 139-143) (ISBN: 978-0415398183).
  • Fullwood, C., Martino, O., & Morris, N. (2005). Multi-media packaging: an ergonomic appraisal. In P.D. Bust & P.T. McCabe (Eds.) Contemporary Ergonomics 2005. London: Taylor and Francis (pp. 373-377) (ISBN: 978-0415374484).
  • Martino, O., Fullwood, C., & Morris, N. (2005). Emotional factors in initiatives to promote health and safety: Effects of mood state on compliance. In P.D. Bust & P.T. McCabe (Eds.) Contemporary Ergonomics 2005. London: Taylor and Francis (pp. 383-387) (ISBN: 978-0415374484).
  • Morris, N., Fullwood, C., & Martino, L. (2005). Using Homer Simpson to promote safety. In P.D. Bust P.T. McCabe (Eds.) Contemporary Ergonomics 2005. London: Taylor and Francis (pp. 378-382) (ISBN: 978-0415374484).
  • Morris, N., Martino, O., & Fullwood, C. (2005). Manipulating the impact of public health information on mood. In P.D. Bust & P.T. McCabe (Eds.) Contemporary Ergonomics 2005. London: Taylor and Francis (pp. 388-391) (ISBN: 978-0415374484).
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