The Internet as object and area of socio-psychological research

The paper presents major areas of interest of social psychologists who research the Internet and its social context. The aim is to introduce the reader to this field, giving some guidelines. We briefly discuss the following issues: computer-mediated communication and online behaviour; identity and the internet; relations between internet activities and various aspects of life; patterns of usage; conducting research online. Most important publications in the area are reviewed, with special attention to works of Polish authors. We also present four articles included in this special issue of Social Psychology. peerReviewed publishedVersion