Chelsea Gault Poster

Chelsea Gault | Ep 9

Watch or listen:
The Psychology of Online Gaming.

In this episode, we explore the psychology of Personality, Archetypes and Self-Perception in online video game playing.  

We chat about her research into Player Archetypes (the different roles players take on while gaming), how players may become disinhibited while they game, and how choosing a specific avatar can change a gamer’s perception of themselves. 

Connect with the guests
Chelsea Gault

Chelsea is a full time Cyberpsychology PhD student at the University of Buckingham.

She works at Virtual Reality Experiences as a researcher, supporting the evaluation and development of a range of VR assessment and training modules. She also tests the use of VR for team building and group assessment – supported by empirical evaluation and research.

Is is also as a part-time hourly paid lecturer at the University of Huddersfield – lecturing in a variety of Psychology related subjects, – both at Undergraduate and Postgraduate level.

Connect on Social Media :

In today’s episode of Confessions of a CyberPsychologist, I chat with Chelsea Gault, who is a PhD research student focussing on the psychology of online gaming.

We specifically talk about:

01:01 What got Chelsea into the psychology of gaming and what she is focussing on looking at personality traits of gamers.

03:33 The world of eSports, what it is, why people participate and watch others play eSports and how to get into it.

09:31 If video games can affect a person’s reaction time.

11:14 What motivates people to play video games.

14:17 What impact ‘Player Archetype’ has on a person’s reaction time within a game (for more information on what player architype, read more here) , and identifying different types of gamer behaviour based on their unique personality traits.

20:31 How avatars chosen within a game can affect a players self-perception and how this affects their behaviour within the game (known as ‘The Proteus Effect).

22:26 Whether personality traits are linked to a players being more disinhibited within a video game.

26:13 Presenting her PhD initial work at the BPS CyberPsychology Conference and the insights gained so far.

31:18 The difference between gaming obsession and addiction, the positives of gaming

34:39 The point at which parents should become concerned about video game play and how to reduce the impact of ‘bad actors’ in online multiplayer games.

41:06 Advice for parents (and children) who are concerned about the online aspects of online gaming.

45:51 Our self-perception (i.e. how we see ourselves) in the online and offline world.

49:30 The correlation between violent video games and violent behaviour and the reporting thereof in the media.

Other podcasts
Ep 8 Todd Fletcher and Dr Chris Fullwood

Todd Fletcher and Dr Chris Fullwood | Ep 8

Watch or listen:
The Psychology of CyberSecurity Professionals.

Why do cybersecurity professionals either blatantly or subconsciously disregard standard cybersecurity protocols? 

In this episode, we explore the psychology of cybersecurity and the impact of personality and cognitive bias on our ability to resist cyber-attacks.

Connect with the guests

In today’s episode of Confessions of a CyberPsychologist, I chat with Todd Fletcher, who is a PhD research student focussing on the psychology of cybersecurity professionals, and Dr Chris Fullwood, who is a senior lecturer in psychology at Birmingham City University and one of Todd’s PhD supervisors.

We talk about the psychology of cybersecurity professionals and why they may intentionally or unintentionally disregard sound cybersecurity practices. We focus on:

01:00 Todd’s background in digital technology and how he became interested in studying CyberPsychology.

06:49 The difference is between CyberPsychology and Cybersecurity.

13:00 Todd’s PhD research on the behavioural influences of Cybersecurity professionals.

20:21 The ‘Big 5’ personality and, how they can either help or hinder a cybersecurity professional in an organisation, and if there are common traits amongst those more likely to become cyber victims.

35:23 The Security Acceptance Model and its practical application in organisational cybersecurity.

37:33 The recent DefCon conference in Las Vegas and the research Todd was doing at the conference.

42:49 The difference between White, Grey and Black Hat hackers.

47:20 What parents should know about teen amateur hacking behaviour.

01:02:43 The future of cybersecurity amongst professionals and the general tech user.

1:08:55 Advice for those starting out in cybersecurity, and

10:15:18 Managing good mental health practices amongst cybersecurity professionals.

Todd’s experience is in the digital realm within business. Having spent time implementing cybersecurity practices, he became interested in the people within the cyber processes, leading him to become interested in the psychology of people within cybersecurity.

If you are a cybersecurity professional, manage a cybersecurity team, or are interested in cybersecurity as a career, this is an episode to watch.

Other podcasts
Cath Knibbs EP7

Catherine Knibbs | Ep 7

Watch or listen:
Understand human behaviour in a world of technology.

In this episode, we explore the psychology of trauma-related online behaviour – amongst adults and children.

Connect with the guests

In today’s episode of Confessions of a CyberPsychologist, I talk to Cath Knibbs about:

00:54 What got her started in Cyber Trauma.

08:12 The escalation of difficult and traumatising content over the past decade.

09:13 The desensitisation or nervous system adaptability towards online content.

10:15 The content she develops as part of her activism, teaching and educating parents, therapists and teachers. 

11:00 What got Cath started in writing articles, books and developing online content to help others understand online trauma.

12:34 The psychology behind the use of tracking technology – for the victim and the perpetrator.

14:08 Why unread messages affect some more than others.

16:04 Her latest book on gaming and social media and having more intentional uses for technology.

19:35 The difference and similarities between boys and girls in gaming and social media and if there is addictive elements around either.

22:50 The Cyber Synapse Podcast.

28:03 Her TedX talk on why we do what we do online. It’s called The Real Social Dilemma and focusses on Bodies, Brains and Technology – how we connect with others in 2D and 3D online, how we perceive others and ourselves, and how this impacts our worldview. 

38:00 What started her on her PhD journey looking into online harm and inappropriate material, how online material traumatises children, how ubiquitous this material is amongst young children, and how shaming parents isn’t helpful in educating them about the ‘ogres in the screen’.

47:41 Her work as a Trauma Psychotherapist and how to get in touch if you would like help around online trauma.

50:33 Why we use technology in the way that we do.

51:33 How using technology and gaming in the therapy room can unlock insights into subconscious trauma and ways of operating in the real world.

56:24 How cyberpsychology is complicated, nuanced and depends on each individual. It is difficult to take a broad-brush approach.

58:18 Her favourite CyberPsychology book:  Pete Etchells ‘Unlocked’ and how this ought to have more media attention than Jonathan Haidt’s ‘The Anxious Generation’.

Cath is an expert in cyber trauma amongst adults and children. She is a psychotherapist and is currently studying towards a PhD. 

Books Published
Soon to be Published
Other podcasts
CoaC Chris Fullwood

Dr Chris Fullwood | Ep 6

In this episode, Chris tells us about self-perception, how we present ourselves online, how others perceive us, and the unconscious bias we have towards others in video calls. We specifically talk about:

00:45 Chris’s journey into CyberPsychology including completing a PhD in Video Mediated Communication in the late-1990s.

08:19 How video calls affect our self-perception, how our video call behaviour and expectations have changed over time, and why we have an unconscious bias towards those we talk to in a video call versus in-person conversations.

12:18 The cognitive demands that video conferencing has on the listener of a video call and the Equilibrium Theory around intimacy and physical distance.

16:02 The potential for people to be more open in online counselling and therefore hypothetically make it more effective than in-person counselling.

18:00 Being one of the four founding members of the BPS CyberPsychology Section and gaining acceptance of the discipline in the world of Psychology in the UK.

23:53 Chris’s development of the Presentation of Online-Self (PoS) scale, that measures: The Idealised Self, The Multiple Self, The Consistent Self and Online Presentation Preference. We touch on how this measure is related to other psychological theories such as Self-Concept Clarity and impression management.

32:48 How we build a perception, or understanding, of who we are as individuals and the Self-Perception Theory.

34:58 If spending excess time online influences our self-perception.

38:24 How we present ourselves in a 2D or 3D online context and an explanation of the Proteus Effect when inhabiting an avatar in video games or virtual reality.

42:50 The difference between the presentation of CyberPsychology ideas through academic writing, publishing and lecturing.

50:65 Chris’s current book and research project on AI and its impact on those in the creative industry – from a psychological perspective.

55:17 What undergrad and postgrad programmes Birmingham City University offer. https://www.bcu.ac.uk/social-sciences/courses

59:19 Applying for a PhD at BCU and getting in touch with Chris Chris.Fullwood@bcu.ac.uk or https://www.bcu.ac.uk/social-sciences/about-us/staff/psychology/chris-fullwood.

01:00:12 What the future of CyberPsychology may look like and what is needed to continue to build awareness of the discipline in the UK.

01:07:52 The (non)accuracy of media representation and reporting of cyberpsychology academic research findings.

01:12:00 The CyberPsychology book he recommends:

  • Stranger in the Mirror by Robert V. Levine – a scientific understanding of where our sense of self comes from.
  • The Oxford Handbook of CyberPsychology – a basic principles book of CyberPsychology.

Senior Lecturer

in the School of Social Sciences at Birmingham City University (UK)

Dr Fullwood is one of the founding members of the British Psychological Society’s Cyberpsychology section and 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. 
Other Specialisations

Digital inclusion and the empowerment of individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Follow:
Connect:

Email him directly at: chris.fullwood@bcu.ac.uk

Chris is also a Supervisor to PhD students.
Ep5 CoaC

Drs Fiona Clements, Lisa Orchard and Darren Chadwick | Ep 5

In this slightly longer episode, we explore victimisation and cyberbullying amongst those who have mild to moderate intellectual disabilities. The reference for this subject comes from a paper that was recently published by the three guests, and also part of Fiona’s Doctorate at Wolverhampton University.

In this episode, with Drs Fiona A. Clements, Darren D. Chadwick and Lisa J. Orchard, we chat about:

00:49 Fiona’s background, what she is doing now in the NHS and starting a Doctorate in CyberPsychology looking at digital inclusion specifically in intellectual disabilities.

03:48 Lisa’s background, her interest in online communication, her progress within Wolverhampton and about the CRUW research group.

05:56 Darren’s career in intellectual disability and inclusivity research, and how that integrated into cyber research at Wolverhampton University, progressing into research on digital inclusion and risk.

09:00 Fiona’s Doctorate journey, what got her started, what a Doctorate involves, what she focussed on, how that links into the published article, and what it is like to finish and the impact of the doctoral research.

13:32 What started the project that brought Fiona into the process of Doctoral research.

15:53 The different types of Cyberbullying. The negative online interactions of: online content, online contact, online conduct and online contract risks.

20:17 The gap in knowledge that the research was trying to address. The different types and definitions of cyberbullying. How cyberbullying differs from offline bullying.

24:05 Harassment as the most common experience of cyberbullying amongst those with intellectual disabilities.

25:48 The impact of age on the type of cyberbullying that takes place and the lack of cyber-related research amongst older adults who have intellectual disabilities.

28:17 The definition and examples of online harassment, how that differs from flaming and how online cyberbullying relates to offline bullying. The increased proliferation of gadgets since Covid, and the similarity of technology use between those with and without intellectual disabilities.

31:49 Practical applications of research around the different types of cyberbullying amongst those with intellectual disabilities. Insights that facilitate the development of interventions to support people, so they are able to independently use technology and understand what support is needed to navigate online risks and decision-making that happens online.

37:17 Additional findings are due to be published on ways to support those with intellectual disability who may be exposed to online risks. Inequalities amongst those with eating disorders and focussing on 3rd wave (compassion focussed) interventions and accessibility to this treatment.

40:19 Darren’s focus area is on digital inclusion amongst those with intellectual disabilities and how they navigate digital life.

43:33 What psychology undergrad and postgrad John Moores University in Liverpool offers.

44:37 Lisa’s social media research focuses on infant feeding decisions, uses and gratifications theory and how social media feeds into those human needs.

48:18 What CyberPsychology options Wolverhampton University offers. The online Masters and Counselling Doctorate in CyberPsychology.

50:23 The self-stigmatisation of cyberbullying is linked to self-esteem. The differences in the type risks concerning self-stigma and self vs others blaming.

52:23 Media’s sensationalising of academic research in a way that spreads misinformation and negative social narratives – to push their own agenda. The responsibility of academics is to get research findings into the public domain in an understandable way and to correct misinformation.

55:50 The favourite CyberPsychology books that each recommends as an introduction to CyberPsychology.

* Darren: Applied Cyberpsychology

* Lisa: So, You’ve Been Publicly Shamed

* Fiona: The Oxford Handbook of Cyberpsychology

FionaClementsIDphoto 2

Dr Fiona Clements

Dr Fiona Clements works with adults with eating disorders in the UK National Health Service (NHS).

In this episode, Fiona tells us about:

00:49 Her background and what she is doing now in the NHS. Starting a Doctorate in CyberPsychology looking at digital inclusion specifically in intellectual disabilities.

09:00 Fiona’s Doctorate journey, what got her started, what a Doctorate involves, what she focussed on, how that links into the article that was published, and what it is like to finish and the impact of the doctoral research.

13:32 What started the project that brought Fiona into the process of the Doctoral research.

15:53 The different types of Cyberbullying. The negative online interactions of: online content, online contact, online conduct and online contract risks.

20:17 The gap in knowledge that the research was trying to address. The different types and definitions of cyberbullying. How cyberbullying differs from offline bullying.

24:05 Harassment as the most common experience of cyberbullying amongst those with intellectual disabilities.

25:48 The impact of age on the type of cyberbullying that takes place and the lack of cyber related research amongst older adults who have intellectual disabilities.

28:17 The definition and examples of online harassment, how that differs from flaming and how the online cyberbullying relates to offline bullying. The increased proliferation of gadgets since Covid, and the similarity of technology use between those with and without intellectual disabilities.

31:49 Practical applications of research around the different types of cyberbullying amongst those with intellectual disabilities. Insights that facilitate the development of interventions to support people, so they are able to independently use technology and understanding what support is needed to navigate online risks and decision making that happens online.

37:17 Additional findings due to be published on ways to support those with intellectual disability who may be exposed to online risks. Inequalities amongst those with eating disorders and focussing on 3rd wave (compassion focussed) interventions and accessibility to this treatment.

50:23 The self-stigmatisation of cyberbullying linked to self-esteem. The differences in the type risks in relation to self-stigma and self vs others blaming.

52:23 Media’s sensationalising of academic research in a way that spreads misinformation and negative social narratives – to push their own agenda. The responsibility of academics to get research findings into the public domain in an understandable way and having to correct misinformation.

Counselling Psychologist (DCounsPsy)

Fiona’s Doctorate is from the University of Wolverhampton. Her MSc in Health Psychology at the University of Surrey.

She continues to be passionate about lived experience research with adults with developmental disabilities and their carers; specifically in the areas of cyberpsychology and health psychology.

Connect:
Explore her up-to-date research
Recommended Reading:

The Oxford Handbook of Cyberpsychology.

EP4 Raakesh Kriplani

Prof. Dr. Raakesh Kriplani | Ep 4

Prof. Dr Raakesh Kriplani is a pioneering CyberPsychologist in Pacific Asia, working in therapy, security and training.

Find out more about the work he does on the CIIPS website.

In this episode, Prof. Dr. Raakesh Kriplani tells us about:

  • Who he is, and what got him started on the journey into CyberPsychology.
  • How he started building awareness of CyberPsychology within India and amongst governmental institutions.
  • His background in medicines and biology and how that impacts his perspectives and insights on being a digital human.
  • The certificate course being run at Rashtriya Raksha University.
  • Why the Rashtriya Raksha University is a ‘University of National Importance’.
  • About CIPPS and the rebranding thereof.
  • The work he is doing with mental health counselling including with army recruits.
  • The new project, just approved, on robotic and AI mental health counselling therapy, whether robotic therapy treatment is better than human-therapist counselling and if AI/robots can be empathetic.
  • Having Dr Mary Aiken talk at the launch of the Certificate in CyberPsychology.
  • What his vision is for the CyberPsychology Certificate over the next 5 years and how he sees it making a difference in Asia Pacific.
  • The role the media plays in selling moral panic rather than providing practical help for online behaviour issues – especially regarding differences in generational tech use. • What influences children’s digital tech behaviour.
  • How to help children understand what happens on the internet and how it impacts them.
  • How he plans to achieve his ambitions – especially in training the human resource elements needed to sustain the future growth of CyberPsychology within India.
  • The importance of CyberPsychology both within India and internationally, today and in the future, especially in cybersecurity.
  • The CyberPsychology book he recommends: The Cyber Effect by Mary Aiken, and his book ‘Wired for Wellness’ is available on Amazon India.

Connect directly on Social Media.

Rashtriya Raksha University
Recommended Reading:
Nicola Fox. Hamilton

Dr Nicola Fox Hamilton | Ep 3

Dr Nicola Fox Hamilton specialises in online dating and relationships, and attraction.

Find out more about her on her website.

In this episode, Nicola tells us about:

  • Who she is and what got her started on the journey into Cyberpsychology.
  • Her Masters, PhD and research into online dating and how we present ourselves online through our dating profiles.
  • How her background in design has influenced her research and the work she does in CyberPsychology.
  • The research she has focussed on with online dating and how we judge other’s personality from their online profile.
  • How the cultural perception of online dating has changed in the last decade, especially since the launch of Tinder and the 2020 Lockdowns.
  • IADT in Ireland as the birthplace of the CyberPsychology 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.
  • Her Audible book The Psychology of Online Behaviour (Audible Only)
  • The moral panic and narratives being pushed by some mass media.
  • The role cognitive bias plays in media consumption.
  • The talks, webinars, seminars and media interviews she has done and is available to do, including what she focusses on and how to get in touch with her if you would like her to talk about a specific topic in CyberPsychology.
  • The podcast she is planning on launching in the summer of 2024.
Talks & Workshops

Dr Fox Hamilton is available for media interviews key note speeches, talks, workshops, lectures and panel discussions.

Previous Podcasts

Bright Club Ireland 26th October 2021.

IADT (Ireland)

Dr Nicola Fox Hamilton is a cyberpsychology researcher, lecturer & Programme Chair at IADT.

Linda Kaye

Dr Linda Kaye | Ep 2

Dr Linda Kaye specialises in Social Inclusion and Wellbeing, particularly: How we can use online settings to promote social inclusion and well-being.

You can read more about her here.

Also known as ‘The Cyber Doctor’, Dr Kaye is available as a consultant to industry and a speaker. 

Find out more about her on her website The Cyber Doctor.

In this episode, Dr Kaye tells us about:

  • What got her interested in and focussed on Cyberpsychology.
  • Being one of the founding members of the BPS CyberPsychology section, (recognised by the BPS in 2018), alongside Dr Alison Attrill-Smith, Dr Chris Fullwood and Dr Simon Bignell.
  • Her Keynote Talk at the 2024 Cyberpsychology conference: ‘What Cyberpsychology can tell us about the Digitally Connected Human Experience’.
  • Her Ted Talk on what our Emoji use says about us and what she is researching now on the cognitive impact of receiving Emoji’s.
  • How her research findings are being used practically in the business HR context (Net Emotion Index) and in Digital Marketing.
  • Differences in generational and gender use of Emoji’s and how we interpret them.
  • The book Dr Kaye wrote during Lockdown: Issues and Debates in Cyberpsychology.
  • Whether media accurately portray academic research findings.
  • What else she is researching?
  • The Psychology undergrad at Edge Hill University and working in the Cyberpsychology research lab with Dr Linda Kaye.
  •  

Dr Linda Kaye will be presenting the keynote speech.

The 2024 conference is being hosted by:

Liverpool John Moores University
Egerton Court, 2 Rodney St, Liverpool, L3 5UX

You can submit an abstract to present at the conference before the extended deadline of 12 April 2024. 

The deadline for registration to attend is 17 June 2024:

  • BPS Cyberpsychology Members: £130
  • Student / Concession: £150
  • BPS Members: £230
  • Non-Members: £270
Edge Hill University
Dr Kaye's Book: Issues and Debates in CyberPsychology

Released in January 2022

You can read a sample of the book, including the introduction and the beginning of Chapter 2. 

This comprehensive and accessibly written book brings together in one place for the first time the wealth of debates within cyberpsychology. What is the difference between screen time and screen use, and why has one been pathologised while the other has not? Is social media really bad for well-being?

This book considers these issues and more, in depth, with clear, informed resolutions and conclusions no longer being mediated by jargon-filled articles or misrepresentative media headlines. 

In this video, Dr Kaye introduces her book.

You can watch the remainder of her chapter videos directly on her website page

Dr Kaye's Recommended Reading:

An Introduction to Cyberpsychology in which Dr Linda Kaye wrote the Foreward.

Ruth Guest

Ruth Guest (Sersha) | Ep 1

In this episode, Ruth tells us about:

  • Who she is and what got her started on the CyberPsychology journey.
  • Why she started Sersha.
  • What Sersha is and how it is designed as social media training for pre-teens (to reduce the risk of social media) and to help parents have better conversations with their children about social media.
  • Who she’s looking for to help her test the ‘Beta model’ of her education simulator.
  • Where she is hoping to take Sersha in the near future (watch out for the September 2024 launch of the next stage).
  • What her favourite (and recommended reading) CyberPsychology books are.
What the acronyms mean:
  • IADT: Institute of Art, Design and Technology (Dublin, Ireland)
  • MVP: Minimum Viable Product
  • TAM: Technology Acceptance Model (the older we are, the less likely we are to accept technology)
  • CMC: Computer-mediated communication (how we communicate online)
Production Caveat:

I am not a journalist, media personality or producer by trade or training. I am a psychologist who used to do corporate marketing.

So, please forgive me the current not-so-professional nature of the videos. I’m hoping the value of the information shared will overshadow the less than glossy nature of the production you watch.

The quality should improve with time and practice.

Do you have any CyberPsychology related questions?

If so, please get in touch. I will do my best to either answer your questions or find another expert who hopefully can. Use any of these options to send through your questions.

Other Podcasts