| RESEARCH | ||
| I am interested in the psychological
consequences of informational technologies (computers as well as Internet)
usage. It includes different issues of Human-Computer Interaction,
Personality Psychology, Motivation, Human Thinking and Reasoning.
The theoretical framework for studying these problems is provided by L.
Vygotsky. His main idea is that there are two types of mental
functions: so-called higher mental functions and the natural ones. The
higher mental functions develop from the natural ones when a person
starts to use in his/her activity psychological tools or so-called signs.
These include various systems for counting, mnemonic techniques,
algebraic symbol systems, writing, schemes, diagrams, maps, and
technical drawings. We can consider the informational technologies as a
special kind of tool or a system of signs. Then we should expect that this
kind of technology can reconstruct our mind (our motivation, our
reasoning, our personality). Such a reconstruction was demonstrated in
many different research projects (it is true as for single processes, as
for the whole personality). Excellent examples could be found in the first
books by Sh. Turkle The Second Self: Computers and the Human Spirit
(Her new book "Life on the screen" is very interesting too).
A number of projects were done by a group of psychologists headed by
prof. O.K.Tikhomirov
(MSU). Our Lab is working on projects connected with the psychological
traits of hackers, computer game players (MUD and RPG too) and problems of
Internet addiction. All these types of "hobby" are good examples
of the impact of technology on the human mind.
My current research deals with the psychological peculiarities of people, who are deeply involved in Human-Computer Interaction - excellent software engineers, geeks, hackers, and the other computer fans.
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