NZAP 2.0NZAP 2.0

Into the Unknown: Into the Unknown:

Psychotherapy and online social Psychotherapy and online social mediamedia

Kyle MacDonaldKyle MacDonald

www.psychotherapy.org.nzwww.psychotherapy.org.nz

twitter.com/@kylemacdtwitter.com/@kylemacd

“ “The term "The term "Web 2.0Web 2.0" (2004–present) is commonly " (2004–present) is commonly associated with web applications that facilitate associated with web applications that facilitate

interactive information interactive information sharing, interoperability, user-centered sharing, interoperability, user-centered

design and collaboration on the World Wide design and collaboration on the World Wide Web. A Web 2.0 site allows its users to interact Web. A Web 2.0 site allows its users to interact

with other users or to change website content, in with other users or to change website content, in contrast to non-interactive websites where users contrast to non-interactive websites where users are limited to the passive viewing of information are limited to the passive viewing of information

that is provided to them.” that is provided to them.” WikipediaWikipedia

““Social Media is not a fad it is Social Media is not a fad it is a fundamental shift in the a fundamental shift in the way we communicate.”way we communicate.”

The Local StoryThe Local Story

NZ usage of the internet 79.6%NZ usage of the internet 79.6% In NZ, Facebook use is at 1 million (25% In NZ, Facebook use is at 1 million (25%

population)population) Facebook: 150% growth in the last yearFacebook: 150% growth in the last year More than half a million had been on either More than half a million had been on either

Bebo or MySpace in last monthBebo or MySpace in last month 64,000 had followed Twitter in last month 64,000 had followed Twitter in last month

http://blog.labour.org.nz/index.php/2010/01/10/social-media-and-labour/http://blog.labour.org.nz/index.php/2010/01/10/social-media-and-labour/

Global UsageGlobal Usage

Led by Facebook, Twitter, Global Time Led by Facebook, Twitter, Global Time Spent on Social Media Sites up 82% Year Spent on Social Media Sites up 82% Year over Year (2009)over Year (2009)

Year-over-year growth in average time Year-over-year growth in average time spent by U.S. users: Facebook 200% and spent by U.S. users: Facebook 200% and Twitter.com 368%Twitter.com 368%

Global UsageGlobal Usage

Twitter.com continued its reign as the Twitter.com continued its reign as the fastest-growing in December 2009 fastest-growing in December 2009 increasing 579% 2.7 million unique visitors increasing 579% 2.7 million unique visitors in December 2008 to 18.1 million in in December 2008 to 18.1 million in December 2009December 2009

Social NetworkingSocial Networking

Social Networking SitesSocial Networking Sites

FacebookFacebook Bebo (slightly younger average age)Bebo (slightly younger average age) MySpace(more customizable; commercial)MySpace(more customizable; commercial) QZone (China’s “Facebook”)QZone (China’s “Facebook”) LinkedIn (Professional networking)LinkedIn (Professional networking) Many other smaller “specialty” sitesMany other smaller “specialty” sites

MySpaceMySpace

MySpace initially became the most MySpace initially became the most popular social networking site in popular social networking site in the United States in June 2006 the United States in June 2006

MySpace was overtaken internationally by MySpace was overtaken internationally by its main competitor, Facebook, in April its main competitor, Facebook, in April 2008, based on monthly unique visitors2008, based on monthly unique visitors

If Facebook were a country…If Facebook were a country…

China: 1.3 BillionChina: 1.3 Billion India: 1.1 BillionIndia: 1.1 Billion

Facebook: 472 million monthly Facebook: 472 million monthly active usersactive users

USA: 308 millionUSA: 308 million Indonesia: 231 millionIndonesia: 231 millionBased on 2009 population figures.Based on 2009 population figures.

QZoneQZone

Chinese only social networking site 200 Chinese only social networking site 200 million active users.million active users.

Total users of Facebook, MySpace, Total users of Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, Qzone and Linkedin = Twitter, Qzone and Linkedin =

1.5 billion1.5 billion

On February 4, 2004, Mark Zuckerberg On February 4, 2004, Mark Zuckerberg founded Facebook with his college founded Facebook with his college roommates and fellow computer science roommates and fellow computer science students Eduardo Saverin, Dustin students Eduardo Saverin, Dustin Moskovitz and Chris Hughes while he was Moskovitz and Chris Hughes while he was a student at Harvard University. a student at Harvard University.

What made Facebook revolutionary was What made Facebook revolutionary was the “Newsfeed” feature, creating low the “Newsfeed” feature, creating low maintenance connection and socialising.maintenance connection and socialising.

Facebook was then opened on September Facebook was then opened on September 26, 2006 to everyone of ages 13 and older 26, 2006 to everyone of ages 13 and older with a valid e-mail address.with a valid e-mail address.

In many ways it’s lack of flexibility has In many ways it’s lack of flexibility has made it more popularmade it more popular

Multiple applicationsMultiple applications Popularity of photo sharingPopularity of photo sharing ““Smartphone” usageSmartphone” usage It is still growing exponentially, worldwideIt is still growing exponentially, worldwide

“ “A A blogblog (a contraction of the term " (a contraction of the term "web logweb log") is a ") is a type of website, usually maintained by an type of website, usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in reverse-chronological order. "Blog" displayed in reverse-chronological order. "Blog" can also be used as a verb, meaning can also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain to maintain or add content to a blogor add content to a blog.”.”

WikipediaWikipedia

The modern blog evolved from the online The modern blog evolved from the online diary, where people would keep a running diary, where people would keep a running account of their personal lives account of their personal lives

The personal blog, an ongoing diary or The personal blog, an ongoing diary or commentary by an individual, is the commentary by an individual, is the traditional, most common blog traditional, most common blog

Personal bloggers usually take pride in Personal bloggers usually take pride in their blog posts, even if their blog is never their blog posts, even if their blog is never read read

Blogs often become more than a way to Blogs often become more than a way to just communicate; they become a way to just communicate; they become a way to reflect on life, or works of art reflect on life, or works of art

As a form of journalism they remove As a form of journalism they remove corporate censorship and editingcorporate censorship and editing

“ “What we have to do is deliver to people What we have to do is deliver to people the best and freshest most relevant the best and freshest most relevant information possible. We think of Twitter information possible. We think of Twitter as it's not a social network, but it's an as it's not a social network, but it's an information network. It tells people what information network. It tells people what they care about as it is happening in the they care about as it is happening in the world.”world.”

Evan Williams Co-founder of Twitter.Evan Williams Co-founder of Twitter.

Work on the project started on March 21, Work on the project started on March 21, 2006, when Dorsey published the first 2006, when Dorsey published the first Twitter message at 9:50 PM Pacific Twitter message at 9:50 PM Pacific Standard Time (PST): "just setting up my Standard Time (PST): "just setting up my twttr".twttr".

““Micro-blogging.”Micro-blogging.” Evolved from Social networking “status Evolved from Social networking “status

updates; text messages and blogging.updates; text messages and blogging. The fastest growing Web 2.0 site.The fastest growing Web 2.0 site. Person to person “small talk.”Person to person “small talk.” It is what you make it: massive flexibility.It is what you make it: massive flexibility.

Social GroomingSocial Grooming

Social networking researcher Danah Social networking researcher Danah Boyd responded to the Pear Analytics Boyd responded to the Pear Analytics survey by arguing that what the Pear survey by arguing that what the Pear researchers labelled "pointless babble" is researchers labelled "pointless babble" is better characterized as "peripheral better characterized as "peripheral awareness" or "social grooming".awareness" or "social grooming".

WikipediaWikipedia

The Dunbar NumberThe Dunbar Number In 1998, the anthropologist Robin Dunbar argued that In 1998, the anthropologist Robin Dunbar argued that

each human has a hard-wired upper limit on the number each human has a hard-wired upper limit on the number of people he or she can personally know at one timeof people he or she can personally know at one time

Dunbar noticed that ape groups tended to top out at 55 Dunbar noticed that ape groups tended to top out at 55 members. Since human brains were proportionally members. Since human brains were proportionally bigger, Dunbar figured that our maximum number of bigger, Dunbar figured that our maximum number of social connections would be similarly larger: about 150 social connections would be similarly larger: about 150 on average on average

Are people who use Facebook and Twitter increasing Are people who use Facebook and Twitter increasing their Dunbar number, because they can so easily keep their Dunbar number, because they can so easily keep track of so many more people?track of so many more people?

Cited in NYTimes: Cited in NYTimes: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/07/magazine/07awareness-t.html?http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/07/magazine/07awareness-t.html?_r=2&pagewanted=all_r=2&pagewanted=all

Ambient AwarenessAmbient Awareness

““It is, they say, very much like being It is, they say, very much like being physically near someone and picking up physically near someone and picking up on his mood through the little things he on his mood through the little things he does — body language, sighs, stray does — body language, sighs, stray comments — out of the corner of your comments — out of the corner of your eye” eye”

Cited in NYTimes: Cited in NYTimes: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/07/magazine/07awareness-t.html?http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/07/magazine/07awareness-t.html?_r=2&pagewanted=all_r=2&pagewanted=all

“ “To me, the “twitterverse” is like a river of human To me, the “twitterverse” is like a river of human awareness, composed of billions of tiny 140 character awareness, composed of billions of tiny 140 character molecules - each a snapshot of life or a thought or a molecules - each a snapshot of life or a thought or a reflection. A river of pure information that equals energy, reflection. A river of pure information that equals energy, according to the laws of quantum thermodynamics and according to the laws of quantum thermodynamics and stochastic processes. stochastic processes.

A river of life flowing by us as we meditate at its bank like A river of life flowing by us as we meditate at its bank like

some Siddhartha wannabe, in tattered jeans and Oakley some Siddhartha wannabe, in tattered jeans and Oakley sunglasses instead of orchid robes and begging bowl. sunglasses instead of orchid robes and begging bowl. And now, after long last, And now, after long last, we see.we see.

We seeWe see the beauty of the river, that some now  the beauty of the river, that some now call call ambient awareness.” Moses Maambient awareness.” Moses Ma

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-tao-innovation/200903/understanding-the-http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-tao-innovation/200903/understanding-the-psychology-twitter?page=2psychology-twitter?page=2

Weak ties versus intimacyWeak ties versus intimacy

Where sociality has truly exploded was in “weak ties” — Where sociality has truly exploded was in “weak ties” — loose acquaintances, people known less well loose acquaintances, people known less well

This rapid growth of weak ties can be a very good thing. This rapid growth of weak ties can be a very good thing. Sociologists have long found that “weak ties” greatly Sociologists have long found that “weak ties” greatly expand your ability to solve problemsexpand your ability to solve problems

Remote acquaintances will be much more useful, Remote acquaintances will be much more useful, because they’re farther a field, yet still socially intimate because they’re farther a field, yet still socially intimate enough to want to help you outenough to want to help you out

Mood, and loneliness Mood, and loneliness Initial research saw internet usage negatively and often Initial research saw internet usage negatively and often

dismissed online socializing as lonely escapism from the dismissed online socializing as lonely escapism from the disquiet of “real” relationships disquiet of “real” relationships

However in 2006 two studies clarified that actually time However in 2006 two studies clarified that actually time spent online was unrelated to increased anxiety or spent online was unrelated to increased anxiety or depression, which were measured as markers of depression, which were measured as markers of lonelinessloneliness

Only those who already showed lowered mood and Only those who already showed lowered mood and anxiety and those who were already lonely were anxiety and those who were already lonely were negatively affectednegatively affected

Those who did best were those who used social media Those who did best were those who used social media to extend and add value to their offline relationshipsto extend and add value to their offline relationships

Scientific American Mind Jan/ Feb 2010Scientific American Mind Jan/ Feb 2010

NarcissismNarcissism

Study showed that those tested offline and Study showed that those tested offline and confirmed to have NPD traits were confirmed to have NPD traits were “picked” as Narcissistic on Facebook“picked” as Narcissistic on Facebook

Untrained strangers were just as good at Untrained strangers were just as good at identifying narcissists identifying narcissists from their from their Facebook pageFacebook page as they are at judging the as they are at judging the personality of their friendspersonality of their friends

Scientific American Mind Jan/ Feb 2010Scientific American Mind Jan/ Feb 2010

NarcissismNarcissism What did they rate?What did they rate? A large number of contactsA large number of contacts A glamorous appearanceA glamorous appearance Staged quality to the main photoStaged quality to the main photo What is unclear from the research is the casual direction: What is unclear from the research is the casual direction:

does using social media make people more narcissistic does using social media make people more narcissistic or is it simply a “stage” for those inclined in this way to or is it simply a “stage” for those inclined in this way to useuse

Scientific American Mind Jan/ Feb 2010Scientific American Mind Jan/ Feb 2010

Number of Friends and Interpersonal Number of Friends and Interpersonal Impressions on FacebookImpressions on Facebook

A central feature of the online social A central feature of the online social networking system, Facebook, is the networking system, Facebook, is the connection to and links among friends. connection to and links among friends.

An experiment examined the relationship An experiment examined the relationship between the number of friends a between the number of friends a Facebook profile featured and observers' Facebook profile featured and observers' ratings of attractiveness and extraversion ratings of attractiveness and extraversion

Number of Friends and Interpersonal Number of Friends and Interpersonal Impressions on FacebookImpressions on Facebook

A curvilinear effect of sociometric A curvilinear effect of sociometric popularity and social attractiveness popularity and social attractiveness emerged, as did a quartic relationship emerged, as did a quartic relationship between friend count and perceived between friend count and perceived extraversion. These results suggest that extraversion. These results suggest that an overabundance of friend connections an overabundance of friend connections raises doubts about Facebook users' raises doubts about Facebook users' popularity and desirabilitypopularity and desirability

Blogging and emotional health:Blogging and emotional health: Those attracted to Blogging rate higher on Those attracted to Blogging rate higher on

levels of distress (Myspace users)levels of distress (Myspace users) Journaling and writing has been shown to Journaling and writing has been shown to

alleviate distress.alleviate distress. Is Blogging good for you?Is Blogging good for you? The perceived audience effect.The perceived audience effect.

Human Connection onlineHuman Connection online

Relational ConsistencyRelational Consistency

Dynamically we can consider the online Dynamically we can consider the online world another part of “Other” in Malan’s world another part of “Other” in Malan’s Triangle.Triangle.

People behave online in a way that is People behave online in a way that is consistent with their offline behaviour.consistent with their offline behaviour.

Safety and Privacy Safety and Privacy

Online relating is not innocuous: the Online relating is not innocuous: the negative proves the positive.negative proves the positive.

The “blame the technology” effect.The “blame the technology” effect. The world can be a dangerous place The world can be a dangerous place

online and offline.online and offline. Relationship safety is the business of Relationship safety is the business of

psychotherapy.psychotherapy.

Psychotherapy and Web 2.0Psychotherapy and Web 2.0

What would you do if a client knocked on What would you do if a client knocked on your door?your door?

Privacy: familiarize yourself with Privacy: familiarize yourself with Facebook’s privacy settings.Facebook’s privacy settings.

Use a “Company page” for a professional Use a “Company page” for a professional presence.presence.

Use Facebook as a way to extend your Use Facebook as a way to extend your offline personal relationships.offline personal relationships.

Blogging is good for you.Blogging is good for you. But remember it is both public and But remember it is both public and

published. The Law applies.published. The Law applies. Therapists: write as if any of your clients Therapists: write as if any of your clients

are reading it (even though many won’t.)are reading it (even though many won’t.) Clients: Reflect, observe, process. Clients: Reflect, observe, process.

Blogging as mindfulness and journaling.Blogging as mindfulness and journaling.

Off the Couch: Blogging and Political Off the Couch: Blogging and Political advocacy.advocacy.

Micro-blogging: Public space.Micro-blogging: Public space. Again write as if everyone is reading (even Again write as if everyone is reading (even

though most aren’t.)though most aren’t.) Follow and read those who post on topics Follow and read those who post on topics

you’re interested in.you’re interested in. Enter the flow and experience “Ambient Enter the flow and experience “Ambient

Awareness.”Awareness.”

Transference, clients and the Transference, clients and the internet.internet.

Transference, clients and the internet.Transference, clients and the internet. To publish, or not to publish?To publish, or not to publish? What to say, and where to say it.What to say, and where to say it.

How to use for maximum benefit: How to use for maximum benefit: Suggested guidelines.Suggested guidelines.

Facebook: private and personalFacebook: private and personal LinkedIn for professional networking.LinkedIn for professional networking. Blog, and encourage clients to.Blog, and encourage clients to. Twitter: see what's being said, and see Twitter: see what's being said, and see

what it feels like to have something to say.what it feels like to have something to say. Start a conversation online and see who Start a conversation online and see who

joins in.joins in.

The future? NZAP 2.0The future? NZAP 2.0

How can we connect online, with each How can we connect online, with each other as psychotherapists?other as psychotherapists?

Geographically disparate organizationGeographically disparate organization ““Email is dying”Email is dying” Our clients will look for us online and Our clients will look for us online and

increasingly bring the online world as part increasingly bring the online world as part of their relational matrix.of their relational matrix.

Join me online!Join me online!

www.psychotherapy.org.nzwww.psychotherapy.org.nz Read my Blog “Off the Couch”Read my Blog “Off the Couch” Twitter.com/@kylemacdTwitter.com/@kylemacd http://nz.linkedin.com/in/kylemacd http://nz.linkedin.com/in/kylemacd The NZAP group on LinkedIn.The NZAP group on LinkedIn.