This work examines the implications of the internet as the primary means of personal communication. Topics covered include: psychological well-being; interpersonal relationships; social identity; group conflict; negotiation and bargaining; and community involvement.

Part I: Introduction:. 1. Introduction to the issue: John A. Bargh, Department of Psychology, New York University. Part II: The Internet and the Individual:. 2.Relationship Formation on the Internet: What's the Big Attraction?: Katelyn Y. A. McKenna, Amie S. Green, & Marci E. J. Gleason, Department of Psychology, New York University. 3. Can You See the Real Me? Activation and Expression of the ‘True self' on the Internet: John A. Bargh, Katelyn Y. A. McKenna, & Grainne M. Fitzsimons, Department of Psychology, New York University. 4. Internet Paradox Revisited: Robert Kraut, Sara Kiesler, Bonka Boneva, Jonathon Cummings, Vicki Helgeson, & Anne Crawford, Department of Human-Computer.Interaction, Carnegie-Mellon University. 5. Internet Use and Well-Being in Adolescence: Elisheva F. Gross, Jaana Juvonen, & Shelly L. Gable, Department of Psychology, University of California – Los Angeles. Part III: The Internet and the Organization:. 6.When are Net Effects Gross Products? The Power of Influence and the Influence of Power in Computer-Mediated Communication: Russell Spears & Tom Postmes, Department of Social Psychology, University of Amsterdam; Martin Lea, Department of Psychology, Manchester University; Anka Wolbert, Department of Social Psychology, University of Amsterdam. 7. Negotiating via Information Technology: Theory and Application: Leigh Thompson, Kellogg Graduate School of Business, Northwestern University, Janice Nadler, Northwestern University and American Bar Foundation. Part IV: The Internet and Government:. 8.Civic Culture Meets the Digital Divide: The Role of Community: Electronic Networks: Eugene Borgida, John L. Sullivan, Alina Oxendine, Melinda S. Jackson, Eric Riedel, & Amy Gangl, Departments of Law and Psychology, University of Minnesota. 9. Dark Guests and Great Firewalls: The Internet and Chinese Security Policy: Ronald J. Deibert, Department of Political Science, University of Toronto. Part V: Methodological Techniques and Issues:. 10.eResearch: Ethics, Security, Design, and Control in Psychological Research on the Internet: Brian Nosek & Mahzarin R. Banaji, Department of Psychology, Yale University, Anthony G. Greenwald, Department of Psychology, University of Washington. 11. Studying Hate Crime with the Internet: What Makes Racists Advocate Racial Violence? Jack Glaser & Jay Dixit, Goldman School of Public Policy, University of California – Berkeley; Donald Green, Department of Political Science, Yale University. Part VI: Concluding Perspective:. 12.Is the Internet Changing Social Life? It Seems the More Things Change, the More They Stay the Same: Tom R. Tyler: Department of Psychology, New York University.

The Internet is only 10 years old, but it has already had a great impact on the world. In its 'early' days, it was both heralded as a liberating force for the spread of democracy, and condemned as a grave threat to the social fabric. However, as the present articles indicate, our knowledge of the Internet across a variety of social science perspectives has now accumulated to where we have a good initial picture of how the Internet really is (or isn't) affecting social life. One theme stands out: these effects depend on how the unique qualities of Internet communication modes interact with the particular characteristics and goals of the individuals, groups, and communities using them.

Part I: Introduction. Part II: The Internet and the Individual. Part III: The Internet and the Organization. Part IV: The Internet and Government. Part V: Methodological Techniques and Issues. Part VI: Concluding Perspective.