Social Networking

The Psychology of Social Networking

Expanding your social network beyond your familiar circle of friends can have surprising benefits. It's those weak ties that bring fresh ideas and unexpected opportunities: a job, an apartment, a mate. The Internet is providing new tools for cultivating and capitalizing on those networks; someone you've never met in person could change your life.

Toxic Tagging: Be Careful What You Post About Your Friends

By Wendy L. Patrick, Ph.D. on December 08, 2017 in Why Bad Looks Good

Avoid posting too much information about your connections; not everyone is comfortable sharing personal information online.

Are We Allowing Social Media to Dictate Our Happiness?

By Kristen Fuller, M.D. on December 07, 2017 in Happiness Is a State of Mind

“A fixation with connecting with 'friends' online comes with the risk of disconnection with friends waiting for you to be present in the offline world.”

What Is Curbing the Impact of Cyberbullying on Teens?

By Sue Scheff on December 07, 2017 in Shame Nation

New research suggests teens who face online bullying likely recover in a week.

https://pixabay.com/en/facebook-box-facebook-like-1334045/

Three Things You Should Never Share on Facebook

By Wendy L. Patrick, Ph.D. on December 06, 2017 in Why Bad Looks Good

Facebook is the virtual water cooler. Oversharing, about yourself or others, can be dangerous because not everyone in your network is your friend.

Psychopathy and the Dark Side of Facebook Comments

By Susan Krauss Whitbourne Ph.D. on December 05, 2017 in Fulfillment at Any Age

It’s painful to be the target of a Facebook troll. New research shows that it’s the psychopathic who are more likely to engage in this dark side of social media.

Final Exam Stress? Five Ways to Finish Finals Strong

By Zack Carter Ph.D. on December 04, 2017 in Clear Communication

Before the eggnog and ugly Christmas sweaters, you must get through final exams. Avoiding these common final exam prep blind spots might help your grades.

What If You Could See What's Coming?

By Peter Bregman on December 04, 2017 in How We Work

Discover your seventh sense for perceiving tipping points, why there’s no “second place” in the connected world of the future, and what you can do to prepare your business.

Five Ways to Maintain a Predator-Proof LinkedIn Profile

By Wendy L. Patrick, Ph.D. on December 04, 2017 in Why Bad Looks Good

The vast majority of people who research you on professional social media platforms such as LinkedIn are legitimate professionals. The others, are virtual voyeurs, or predators.

How to Create Addictive Experiences?

By Liraz Margalit Ph.D. on December 02, 2017 in Behind Online Behavior

We need to steer away from abstract goals, such as thought leadership, and start thinking in terms of clearly defined actions.

LinkedIn: How to Spot Predators Posing as Professionals

By Wendy L. Patrick, Ph.D. on December 01, 2017 in Why Bad Looks Good

Online business networking sites provide an aura of authenticity. Exploiting the legitimacy of platforms like LinkedIn, predators often masquerade as professionals.

This Japanese Serial Killer Targeted the Suicidal

By Joni E Johnston Psy.D. on November 30, 2017 in The Human Equation

When a Japanese serial killer picked his victims on the internet by responding to suicidal posts, was he targeting people who really wanted to die?

Is Facebook Bad for You?

By Tchiki Davis, Ph.D. on November 30, 2017 in Click Here for Happiness

Find out if the way you use Facebook is helping or hurting your happiness.

For World AIDS Day: Claiming Our Community's Power

By John-Manuel Andriote on November 28, 2017 in Stonewall Strong

There is strength, and resilience, in community. Gay men in the AIDS epidemic built an awesome community.

Is Gossip the Key to Finding Love?

By Jen Kim on November 27, 2017 in Valley Girl With a Brain

When it comes to intrasexual competition, researchers have found, the weapon of choice for women is something that comes effortlessly: gossip.

https://pixabay.com/en/businessman-finger-touch-turn-on-2956974/

Cyberstalker Alert: Spotting Dangerous Friends and Followers

By Wendy L. Patrick, Ph.D. on November 26, 2017 in Why Bad Looks Good

Take note of online strangers who have become overly familiar with your personal information. The next step is contact—with an unrealistic expectation of reciprocity.

10 Signs Insecurity Is Spreading to Your Facebook Behavior

By Susan Krauss Whitbourne Ph.D. on November 25, 2017 in Fulfillment at Any Age

Feel you're on the outside looking in? It’s a miserable state of mind that social media can only worsen. Measure your own fear of missing out (FOMO) with this quick 10-item scale.

Why Gossiping Is Not All Bad

By Jolanda Jetten Ph.D. on November 24, 2017 in Social Cures

Have you heard? The benefits of gossiping.

https://pixabay.com/en/hands-reach-people-silhouette-2606959/

Beware Handsome Strangers: When Online Suitors Are Scammers

By Wendy L. Patrick, Ph.D. on November 23, 2017 in Why Bad Looks Good

Social media is a convenient, rewarding way to keep up with existing relationships, and form new ones. This is also why it is such an attractive tool for criminals.

Why Does Trump Post on Twitter?

By Fredric Neuman M.D. on November 23, 2017 in Fighting Fear

A psychiatric explanation of why Trump tweets when it is not in his best interest to do so.

Confessions of a Smartphone Junkie

By Larry D. Rosen Ph.D. on November 22, 2017 in Rewired: The Psychology of Technology

Protecting our “humanware” by changing our smartphone behavior

How “Manipulation Armies” Are Undermining Democracies

By Christopher Lane Ph.D. on November 18, 2017 in Side Effects

A new report on the “closed loops” of disinformation stoking chaos and confusion almost everywhere.

Frank J. Aleksandrowicz/wikimedia commons

Suicide Grievers Talk About Family and Friends

By Elizabeth Young on November 17, 2017 in Adaptations

“Does anyone else feel worried about the safety of a family member?”

Used with permission of author Frank Sileo.

Did You Hear? A Story About Gossip

By The Book Brigade on November 16, 2017 in The Author Speaks

Children are using social media and texts to spread malicious gossip online. It causes the targets tremendous anxiety and depression.

Calling Out Sick From Work? Why You May Want to Unplug Too

By Sue Scheff on November 16, 2017 in Shame Nation

A new survey explains how almost half of employees are caught in lies on social media when they call out sick and some are finding themselves on the unemployment line.

Docs Gone Wild: Losing Professional Boundaries Online

By Ravi Chandra M.D., D.F.A.P.A. on November 14, 2017 in The Pacific Heart

Mark Zuckerberg's vision is total transparency. But this has serious consequences for health professionals and the doctor-patient relationship, and even the ability to form a self.