PSYCHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PEOPLE ACTIVELY USING VIRTUAL AND ADDITIONAL SPACE

Abstract

The analysis of the psychological characteristics of people who actively use virtual and additional spaces is presented in the article. A comparison was made of characteristics in groups of people with different preferences for video conferencing in Internet communications and in groups with a preference for virtual interaction with the world and the real one. The respondents were divided into groups based on the results of a questionnaire designed to identify the features of interaction with the virtual space, which was developed by the authors. The study involved 182 respondents (17–32 years), (M=21.1; SD=2.6). As a result, significant differences in psychological characteristics were obtained between the groups. In the group of people who prefer visual communication, in comparison with those who prefer other methods of communication, the use of the Internet for the purpose of mood regulation, improvement of their emotional state, and greater cognitive absorption are more typical. Also in these groups there are differences in the characteristics that reflect awareness. The group of people who prefer virtual interaction with the real world is characterized by more “problematic” use of the Internet, characterized by a preference for online communication, use of the network for the purpose of mood regulation, cognitive absorption, and difficulties in controlling spending time on the network. In terms of subjective wellbeing, this group is characterized by a more pronounced sense of lack of self-development, improvement and self-realization, greater boredom and apathy in relation to life