The Psychological Construction of the Internet: From Information Foraging to Social Gathering to Cultural Mediation

Abstract

Psychological models influence both design and use of the Internet. Three models are considered. The first, cognitive, builds the Internet as an environment in which information foraging occurs. This model considers information seeking as an active process, but does take account of cooperation and communication. The second model, social, builds the Internet as a space for people's coming together and communicating. It makes sense of much of what is at present passing in the Internet, but focuses almost exclusively on the interpersonal aspects of electronic communication. The third model, cultural, builds the Internet as a powerful new artifact that requires the formation of appropriate cultural codes to be integrated smoothly with people's everyday experience.