ISSN:1094-9313    

DOI:10.1089/cpb.1998.1.1

年代:1998

数据来源: MAL

摘要:

There is a gender gap in Internet use: Two thirds of users are males, and males account for 77% of on-line time. This article reviews related research to explain these differences. From childhood on, males are more experienced with computers and have more favorable attitudes toward computers than do females. These gender differences in computer experiences and attitudes as well as the masculinization of the computer culture may be transferred to Internet use and attitudes. In fact, the Internet culture was developed by its earliest users, primarily male scientists, mathematicians, and technologically sophisticated computer hackers. This culture can be discomforting and alien to females. For example, netiquette norms tolerate uncensored hostility and even harassment, which women may find offensive. Gendered linguistic differences also affect Internet discussion groups. Linguistic analysis of on-line academic discussion groups found males' postings were status enhancing and adversarial whereas females' postings were supportive and tentative. Further, when females began to approach domination on male-dominated lists, they were ignored, trivialized, or criticized by males. Finally, evidence of greater pathological Internet use by males and a technological mystique surrounding the Internet are presented. Anticipated changes regarding gender differences in Internet use and future directions for research are discussed.

ISSN:1094-9313    

DOI:10.1089/cpb.1998.1.3

年代:1998

数据来源: MAL

摘要:

Use of the Internet on college campuses has increased dramatically in recent years, leading to pathological use, or Internet addiction, for some students. Internet addiction is defined as a psychological dependence on the Internet and is characterized by (a) an increasing investment of resources on Internet-related activities, (b) unpleasant feelings (e.g., anxiety, depression, emptiness) when offline, (c) an increasing tolerance to the effects of being online, and (d) denial of the problematic behaviors. Individuals exhibiting such symptoms often are dealing with underlying psychological issues. College students are particularly vulnerable to pathological Internet use due to several factors. These factors include (a) the psychological and developmental characteristics of late adolescence/young adulthood, (b) ready access to the Internet, and (c) an expectation of computer/Internet use. The nature of the computer medium and the sense of control experienced when engaged in computer activities can also contribute to the potential for problematic computer/Internet use. Research on Internet addiction is in its infancy. The need for greater understanding of Internet addiction and its treatment is noted.

ISSN:1094-9313    

DOI:10.1089/cpb.1998.1.11

年代:1998

数据来源: MAL

摘要:

Mental health professionals are already delivering services on-line. True psychotherapy is not possible on the Internet because of unresolved ethical issues, problems related to the current bandwidth of the Net, and unresolved regulatory and licensing issues. There are modes of delivering services that do seem to be working, however. It should be possible to conduct psychotherapy on the Internet at some point in the future, as bandwidth, regulatory, and ethical issues are resolved.

ISSN:1094-9313    

DOI:10.1089/cpb.1998.1.19

年代:1998

数据来源: MAL

摘要:

Prior research has utilized the Zung Depression Inventory (ZDI) and found that moderate to severe rates of depression coexist with pathological Internet use.1Although the ZDI was utilized for its expediency with on-line administration, its limitations include poor normative data and less frequent clinical use. Therefore, this study utilized the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), which has more accurate norms and frequent usage among dual diagnostic patient populations. An on-line survey administered on a World Wide Web site utilized the BDI as part of a larger study. A total of 312 surveys was collected with 259 valid profiles from addicted users, which again supported significant levels of depression to be associated with pathological Internet use. This article discusses how a treatment protocol should emphasis the primary psychiatric condition if related to a subsequent impulse control problem such as pathological Internet use. Effective management of psychiatric symptoms may indirectly correct pathological Internet use.

ISSN:1094-9313    

DOI:10.1089/cpb.1998.1.25

年代:1998

数据来源: MAL

摘要:

People with generalized social phobia (GSP) or avoidant personality disorder (APD) suffer from an inability to interact comfortably in social situations. This article proposes methods for using the Internet as a means of treating these conditions through on-line support groups. Established on-line support groups for these conditions are reviewed, and suggestions are offered for creating virtual environments effective in the treatment of GSP and APD. Results from recent research on the value of on-line support groups are reviewed. Various possible ways for psychologists to use the Internet as an adjunct in working with this population are explored. Also addressed is the potential for people with these disorders to become dependent on Internet interpersonal relationships to the exclusion of all others.

ISSN:1094-9313    

DOI:10.1089/cpb.1998.1.29

年代:1998

数据来源: MAL

摘要:

Virtual environments (VEs) are attracting much attention in clinical psychology, especially in the treatment of phobias. However, a possible new application of virtual reality (VR) in psychology is as assessment tool: VEs can be considered as a highly sophisticated form of adaptive testing. In fact, the key characteristic of VEs is the high level of control of the interaction with the tool without the constraints usually found in computer systems. Both the synthetic environment itself and the manner in which this environment is modified by the user's responses can be tailored to the needs of each client and/or therapeutic application. This article describes the context of current psychological assessment and underlines possible advantages of a VR-based assessment tool. It also details the characteristics of the Body Image Virtual Reality Scale, an assessment tool designed to assess cognitive and affective components of body image. It consists of a nonimmersive 3D graphical interface through which the patient is able to choose among seven figures that vary in size from underweight to over-weight.

ISSN:1094-9313    

DOI:10.1089/cpb.1998.1.37

年代:1998

数据来源: MAL

摘要:

Simulations of reality have been used for over 30 years by the military for training and performance evaluations in a variety of tasks. Expensive and sophisticated systems today are used for training and certification of both commercial and military airline pilots. The interest in virtual reality by the entertainment industry has helped the emergence and development of low-cost virtual reality systems for use by the general public. Because of the unique nature of virtual environments, many investigators have begun to ask questions concerning the use of virtual environments for medical applications. Advanced simulators for surgical training are one example of a well-developed application using virtual reality techniques. In this article, we review the literature and explore the possibility of using virtual reality as a psychotherapeutic tool. Initial studies treating simple phobias with virtual reality techniques are described. Issues relating to potential applications and possible side effects, as well as clinical outcomes and cost effectiveness, are also discussed.

ISSN:1094-9313    

DOI:10.1089/cpb.1998.1.45

年代:1998

数据来源: MAL

摘要:

In the field of clinical oncology, we believe that a virtual environment can be useful for simulating surgery, diagnosing cancer invasion, obtaining informed consent or enhancing patient education, and for clinical communication using network-based virtual reality (VR). This technology can also be used to improve a patient's living conditions and to treat the psychological problems and/or stress of cancer patients. In this article, we outline our VR project and describe advanced VR research for palliative medicine at the National Cancer Center Hospital in Japan.

ISSN:1094-9313    

DOI:10.1089/cpb.1998.1.53

年代:1998

数据来源: MAL

摘要:

Virtual reality (VR) is an emerging computer-driven simulation technology that appears to be well matched to the assessment and rehabilitation needs of persons with cognitive impairments and functional disabilities. Persons with these difficulties due to acquired brain injuries, neurological disorders, and developmental disabilities could benefit from the development of VR testing and training environments. VR technology is capable of delivering cognitive and functional scenarios that allow for complex, dynamic stimulus presentations and the capacity to record and measure all responses precisely within the virtual environment. In this regard, VR's capacity to improve on the experimental control available in these applications is a neuropsychologist's dream! However, several basic issues need to be considered for the rational and measured development of VR applications for the study, assessment, and rehabilitation of cognitive impairments and functional disabilities. This article begins with brief introductions to the concepts of VR, cognitive and functional abilities, neuropsychological assessment, and cognitive rehabilitation with rationales provided for the applicability of VR in these areas. Basic pragmatic and theoretical issues for these applications are then presented, followed by a description of our ongoing work developing a VR mental rotation and spatial skills cognitive assessment and training system.

ISSN:1094-9313    

DOI:10.1089/cpb.1998.1.59

年代:1998

数据来源: MAL