Encyclopedia of Computer Science and Technology

psychology of computing 391statements and loop) but is not concerned with smalldetails of syntax. For example, this pseudocode mightdetermine whether to charge sales tax for an online purchase:Get customer’s state of residenceIf state is “CA” thenTax = Price * .085Total = Price + TaxEnd IfOnce the pseudocode has been written and reviewed,the statements can be recoded in the programming languageof choice. For example, the preceding example mightlook like this in C:If (state == “CA”) {Tax = Price * .085;Total = Price + Tax;}The term pseudocode can also be applied to “intermediatelanguages” that provide a generic, machine-independentrepresentation of a program. For example, in the UCSD Pascalsystem the language processor generates a “p-code” thatis turned into actual machine language by an interpreterwritten for each of the different types of computer supported.Today Java takes a similar approach.Further ReadingBailey, T. E., and Kris Lundgaard. Program Design with Pseudocode.3rd ed. Pacific Grove, Calif.: Brooks/Cole, 1989.Daviduck, Brent. “Introduction to Programming in C++: Algorithms,Flowcharts and Pseudocode.” Available online. URL:http://www.allclearonline.com/applications/DocumentLibraryManager/upload/program_intro.pdf. Accessed August17, 2007.Gilberg, Richard F,. and Behrouz A. Forouzan. Data Structures: aPseudocode Approach with C++. 2nd ed. Boston: Course Technology,2004.Neapolitan, Richard E. Foundations of Algorithms Using C++Pseudocode. 2nd ed. Sudbury, Mass.: Jones and Bartlett, 1998.psychology of computingComputing is a complex, pervasive, and increasingly vitalhuman activity. It is not surprising that human psychologycan play an important role in many aspects of computeruse.Since the 1960s psychology (in particular see cognitivescience) has contributed to the structuring of interactionbetween computer systems and users (see user interface).It is important to note the significant differences betweenhow computers and humans perceive and process information:computers are extremely fast in processing in a highlystructured setting (e.g., a program). The human brain, onthe other hand, while thousands of times slower, is thusfar greatly superior in coping with loosely structured datathrough pattern recognition, the making of analogies, andgeneralization. A number of researchers (see, for example,Licklider, J. C. R.) have promoted the idea of creating ahuman-computer synergy where the structure of the systemtakes advantage of both the machine’s computationaland data-retrieval abilities and the human user’s ability towork with the larger picture. Such research is continuing asautonomous software (see software agent) and is beginningto interact with Web users.Psychology of CyberspaceThe Internet and its perception as a shared cyberspace addsnew dimensions to the psychology of computing. In fact,the emphasis here is not on computation per se but on therepresentation of ideas and images, communication, socialinteraction, and identity. In particular, pioneering work(see Turkle, Sherry) has illuminated ways in which onlineinteractions affect identity and sense of self—even encouragingthe assumption of multiple identities (see identityin the online world and online games). Indeed, virtualworlds such as Second Life offer new ways to study the formationof communities and social interactions.On the positive side, it has been argued that cyberspacehas encouraged people (particularly adolescents) to experimentwith new identities in a relatively safe environment,but lack of inhibition and experience can lead to riskybehavior such as involvement with sexual predators. Thevery fact that many people (particularly the young) mayspend several hours a day or more immersed in the onlineworld has also led to concerns; some psychologists haveeven suggested that “Internet addiction disorder” (IAD) beincluded as an official mental disorder similar to compulsivegambling. However, as of 2007, the American MedicalAssociation has not recommended that IAD be classifiedas a mental disorder, and the American Society of AddictionMedicine has resisted such a status. Generally, excessiveor inappropriate use of the Internet has been seen as asymptom of more traditional diagnoses such as obsessionor compulsion.Further ReadingCard, Stuart K., Thomas P. Moran, and Allen Newell, eds. The Psychologyof Human-Computer Interaction. Grand Rapids, Mich.:CRC, 1986.Joinson, Adam N. Understanding the Psychology of Internet Behaviour:Virtual Worlds, Real Lives. New York: Palgrave Macmillan,2003.Suler, John. “Computer and Cyberspace Addiction.” InternationalJournal of Applied Psychoanalytic Studies 1 (2004): 359–382.Available online. URL: http://www-usr.rider.edu/~suler/psycyber/cybaddict.html. Accessed November 8, 2007.———. “The Psychology of Cyberspace.” Available online. URL:http://www-usr.rider.edu/~suler/psycyber/psycyber.html.Accessed November 8, 2007.Turkle, Sherry. Life on the Screen: Identity in the Age of the Internet.New York: Touchstone, 1995.———. The Second Self: Computers and the Human Spirit. Twentiethanniversary ed. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press, 2005.Wallace, Patricia. The Psychology of the Internet. New York: CambridgeUniversity Press, 1999.Weinberg, Gerald. The Psychology of Computer Programming. Silveranniversary ed. New York: Dorset House, 1998.Whitty, Monica T., and Adrian N. Carr. Cyberspace Romance: ThePsychology of Online Relationships. New York: Palgrave Macmillan,2006.