Web 2.0 and Psychology 101

It occurred to me the today that understanding Web 2.0 is like studying a whole new discipline of psychology.

Psychology and social studies was one of my early majors in my arts study at university and something that I have always been interested in.

Web usability has always involved psychology, but about as interesting as the way that monkeys use tools and basic language.  It was always on a very different level to the way humans relate socially.

There are so many ways that Web 2.0 and social networking is drastically changing this view.   I don’t delve into escapism and the phenomenon of online computer games or Second Life.  But in my opinion, those that understand and use psychology, have a far better grip of how to get the most, from a business perspective, out of these new trends in the world wide web. 

The web was once called the information superhighway, which was a pretty appropriate definition.  Information moved fast, but traveled mostly in set directions.  The most interaction between users was comparable the beeping of a horn or a bit of road rage.  But now things have changed, users are now going their own way, defining where the roads go and influencing the direction their fellow travelers are heading in.  It is now more like the interaction superhighway, a place where each user’s individual experience and influence is what matters. 

Predicting internet trends has moved from speed and content to something akin to fashion and psychology.  And every new Web 2.0 innovation has the potential to change the whole landscape.  I read an interesting article, called "The Psychology of Social Computing: What Best Explains the Success of Facebook", which carries along this theme.   Regardless of a company's target market, consumerism and demographic trends are clearly becoming part of the Internet marketing equation.

The latest generation of successful marketing and public relations professionals are those that are savvy with the tools of Web 2.0 and taking strategies like viral marketing to an all new level.  And psychology 101 and sociology 101 prove to be very handy.