Different types of psychology


lapsi.org keyword stats



Most current MSN search phrases:

psychology  

E-culture Among University Students

SCOPE-ANNAMALAI PSYCHOLOGY JOURNAL, DECEMBERindicates low e-culture. The reliability and
2006,  Vol.2,  p:1-7.validity co-efficient for this inventory were
found to be highly significant at 0.001
INTRODUCTIONlevels.
Electronic technology is changing our(2)Sensation  seeking  behaviour  scale
life-style to a great extent. There are many
areas of electronic technology helpingThis brief measure of the sensation seeking
different sections of a common man. Forscale traces its origin to the sensation
instance, terms like e-commerce, e-business,seeking scale (SSS Form V) developed by
e-banking, e-mails, e-organizations,Zuckerman (1978). The aim of this scale is to
e-governance, e-journals, e-books,assess the sensation seeking level, which is
e-medicine, internet, web-shopping, etc havedefined both as a personality trait as well
become part of the current lexicon. Advancesas a need. This scale consists of 13 items;
made in the fields of information andeach item has two statements 'A' and 'B'
communication technology (ICT) andpertaining to activities indicating low and
electronics has resulted in the emergence ofhigh sensation seeking. The respondents are
e-culture. Electronic culture is envelopingexpected to choose one of the two statements
the entire world, it is a global phenomenon.which suits them more by circling either "A'
Today e-culture is the reality that we liveor "B". This scale is a self-report and
in; it is no longer an option. Kanter (2001)unidimensional. The responses of this scale
indicates that organization will successfullyare grouped into 2 categories. One category
meet the challenges of the 'Internet Age'comprises of 8 items: 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 11
only if they become communities ofand 12, the responses of 'A' for these items
collaborative work relations with distinctis given a score of 1 and the 'B' responses
'e-cultures.'are given of 0 scores. The other category
comprises of 5 items: 4, 6, 9, and 13, the
E-culture is also increasingly understood as'B' responses are given a score of 1 and the
a new digital media culture or digitalizationresponses 'A' are given 0 scores. The maximum
of culture. Netherlands council for culturepossible score that can be obtained by an
in its advisory report on digitalization ofindividual in this scale is 13 and minimum is
culture submitted to the state secretary of0. High score in this scale indicates high
education, culture and science (2004) definessensation seeking and low score indicates low
e-culture as "all about a new, digitalsensation seeking. Zuckerman suggested the
dimension; a new and -until recently-following interpretation for this scale: 1-3
undreamt of medium with which existingvery low sensation seeking scores, 4-5 low
culture must seek to interact and in whichsensation seeking scores, 6-9 average
new culture is being generated." De Haan andsensation seeking scores, 10-11 high
Huysmans (2002) states the term 'e-culture'sensation seeking scores and 12-13 very high
refers to the diffusion of new technology,sensation  seeking  scores.
its application for various purposes
(especially information and communication)(3)  Cultural  determination  scale
and shifts in related attitudes, values and
norms. Patel and Rajendran (2005) haveThis scale was developed and standardized by
defined "electronic culture" as "increasedChauhan (1985). The purpose of this scale is
use of electronic goods by individuals into assess cultural determination. This scale
various areas"; they have also developed anindicates conformity and rebellion towards
inventory to measure e-culture. In thisculture in India. The revised version of this
research study e-culture was assessed basedscale used for this investigation has 40
this  perspective.items pertaining to Indian culture with 7
responses each (7 point scaling technique),
E-culture is both technological and a socialnamely, 'fully,' 'too much,' 'much,'
development. There seems to be a widespread'average,' 'less,' 'very less,' and 'not at
consensus that new digital and networkingall.' It is a unidimensional measure high
technologies like the World Wide Web (WWW)score indicates cultural conformity and low
and the Internet have the capacity to reorderscore indicates cultural rebellion. The
the domains of everyday social and personalreliability and validity co-efficient values
life by transforming work and knowledgeyielded for this scale were significant. The
forms, gender and body politics, health andconstructor of this scale has determined the
science, domestic life and entertainment asreliability co-efficient by the test-retest
well as transforming national economics andmethod which was 0.74 and the validity
international relations, democracy and theco-efficient was determined with ratings of
distribution of power (Dona Kolar-Panov,neighbours knowing the elements intimately
2003). The positive approval of the conceptswhich was 0.63. This scale consists of 40
of information society and e-culture arestatements; this is a 7 point scale. Each
reflected in the keenness with whichstatement is followed by 7 responses, namely,
political decision-makers have taken them'fully,' 'too much,' 'much,' 'average,'
over on all levels- local, regional, national'less', 'very less' and 'not at all'. The
and transnational. More accessible andresponse category carries a weight age of 7
transparent information is an easyto 1scores from 'fully' to 'not at all'. The
expression, something that is unequivocallymaximum score an individual can obtain in
good. It is good both from the point of viewthis scale is 280 and the minimum score
of social resources and democracy.possible is 40. High score in this scale
Furthermore, the ideas of an informationindicates cultural conformity and low score
society and e-culture have also implied or,indicates  cultural  rebellion.
at least to start with, did imply
expectations of economic growth andProcedure
stability, opening up of new sectors of
production, increased productivity and theThe samples of this study were personally and
advent of a new, fluctuation-proof economyindividually contacted by the researcher and
(Mitchell, 2003). The emergence of e-culturedata was obtained through face-to face
leads to cultural homogenization and immenseinterview. The duration of data collection
concentrations of financial power therebywere spread over a period of one month (30
sending the threatening message "learndays). The obtained responses were scored and
English and buy a computer or you're out"statistically  analyzed.
(Marsh, 2003). E-culture also makes it
imperative to develop digital skill that isRESULTS  AND  DISCUSSION
to possess knowledge concerning the handling
of electronic products especially the use ofThe objective of this research study is to
computer and Internet (De Haan & Huysmans,explore the relationship of e-culture with
2002).cultural determination and sensation seeking
behaviour. For this purpose Pearson's product
E-culture in India is not different from themoment correlation were calculated, since no
international scenario. India certainly issignificant gender differences were found
getting transformed into an e-society. Theresults for both sexes are combined and given
world's largest democracy (India) is perhapsin  Table  1.
one of the most uniquely positioned countries
in the world. Although India is a developingIt is inferred from the results summarized in
country, its wealth of information,Table 1 that e-culture does not have any
resources, and knowledge capacity immediatelysignificant relationship with cultural
puts the country on the list of top 5determination but is positively and
countries in the world. India is also one ofsignificantly related to sensation seeking
the poorest countries in exposing theirbehaviour.
content on the global platform using digital
media. Except TV, among all other mediumThe concept of cultural determination assumes
India and its information assets are weaklythat culture determines behaviour. The
represented. However, the scope of India'soutcome of this research appear contrary to
strength in this direction is immense. Thethis assumption, the findings indicate that
government of India as well as many NGOs aree-culture is not influenced by culture,
dedicated and determined to enrich andculture conformity and culture rebellious
enhance the e-status of India. Osama Manzar'sbehaviour are not related to the use of
(2005) book "The Best E-contents 2005"electronic products. E-culture appears as a
published by 'Digital Empowerment Foundation'Tran cultural phenomenon, it seems to
(DEF) is an eye-opener regarding theinfluence people irrespective of their
e-contents in India. The Digital Empowermentcultural  background.
Foundation (DEF) has a mission to make India
an information-rich country and therebyTable 1: Showing the Pearson's moment
enrich the world about India's ancientcorrelation co-efficient for e-culture with
knowledge, skill and its cultural diversity.cultural determination and sensation seeking
DEF understands that because of the contentbehaviour.
gap, the digital divide exists and therefore
its foremost mission is to narrow the contentVariables r
gap using information technology (IT),
information and communication technologyCultural  determination  0.034
(ICT)  and  Internet  as  means.
Sensation  seeking  behaviour  0.154**
Culture and personality are interrelated (see
Culture-and-Personality studies. Encyclopedia**  significant  at  0.001  levels
Britannica. 2006). Psychological processes
and cultural norms influence one another*significant  at  0.005  levels
(Lehman et al, 2004). Recognizing the
importance of culture in shaping personality,This study reveals a positive and significant
Allport (1961) was quick to point out thatrelationship between e-culture and sensation
individuals actively select their own way ofseeking behaviour. The finding of this
life that suits their traits, temperaments,research indicate that high sensation seeking
values, and philosophy of life. Sincebehaviour is related with high e-culture and
e-culture has evolved as a dynamic new mediumlow sensation seeking behaviour is related to
of information, entertainment and commercelow e-culture. High sensation seekers exhibit
and demands change in life-style, peoplepreference for high arousal, and physical
exhibiting culture conforming or culturepleasure and posses an urge for novel
rebellious behaviour and high or low noveltyexperiences (Oishi et al, 2001), since
seeking or sensation seeking trait may tende-culture is highly interactive and is
to  be  influenced  by  it.creative in presenting the traditional
culture in new digital forms providing people
Culture plays an important role in thewith plethora of novel stimulation and
determination of behaviour and in theinfinite source of information, high
development of personality is the basicsensation seekers tend to be more receptive
assumption of the concept of culturalto  it.
determination (see Chauhan, 1985). Acceptance
of culture can be measured through conformityCONCLUSION
or  deviant  behaviour.
The present study reveals that cultural
Sensation seeking, as described by Zuckermandetermination is not related to e-culture but
(1994) is a "trait involving the seeking ofsensation seeking behaviour is positively and
varied, novel, complex and intense sensationssignificantly  related  to  e-culture.
and experiences." Researches on sensation
seeking have accumulated robust evidences forREFERENCE
a strong link between sensation seeking and
the preference for high arousal, and physicalAllport, G. (1961). Patterns and growth in
pleasure (Oishi et al, 2001). The personalitypersonality. New York: Holt, Rinehart and
trait of sensation seeking tend to influenceWinston.
an individual's adjustment and reaction to
socio-cultural changes, in general highChauhan, N.S. (1985). Manual for Cultural
sensation seekers in their urge for novelDetermination  Scale.  Meerut:  MAPA.
experiences will be more receptive to
cultural  innovations.Culture-and-Personality Studies. Encyclopedia
Britannica. Retrieved May 3, 2006, from
PURPOSE  OF  THE  STUDYEncyclopedia Britannica 2006 Ultimate
Reference  Suite  DVD.
E-culture though popular and prevalent, is a
recent phenomenon, studies on it appearDe Haan, J and Huysmans, F. (2002).
remote and negligible both at internationalE-culture: An Empirical Exploration. The
and national levels. The scientist communityHague: Social and Cultural Plan Bureau. pp.
has just begun to recognize the importance of145-155.
e-culture and its influence. At present there
are no much substantial empirical evidencesDona Kolar-Panov (2003). Cautious Optimism
available on the impact of e-culture. Evenfor eCulture in Europe. In S. Dragojevic., D.
the 'concept of e-culture' currently isDodd., B. Cvjeticanin and C. Smithuijsen
tentative and far from conclusive. Researches(Ed)(2005): E-Culture: The European
on e-culture now are only at the beginning ofPerspective- Cultural Policy, Creative
a long process. Reviews indicate that studiesIndustries, Information Lag (From the
on e-culture are fragmented and inadequate.proceeding of the round table meeting,
Scanty information is available about theZagreb, 24-27 April 2003). Zagreb: Institute
effect of e-culture on social and culturalof  International  Relations.  pp.  99-106.
development. There are no much scientific
tools and methods visible to study e-culture.Kanter, R. M. (2001). Evolve! Succeeding in
Only recently, the International researchthe Digital Culture of Tomorrow, Boston, MA:
community has started showing interest inHarvard  Business  School  Press.
exploring e-culture. In India, unfortunately,
the research efforts in understanding theLehman, D. R., Chiu, C and Schaller, M.
status of e-culture have still not gained(2004). Psychology and Culture. Annual Review
momentum. The research and academic communityof  Psychology.  55.  pp.  689-714.
are dormant regarding the influence of
e-culture. An examination of relatedMarsh, J. B. T. (2003). Cultural Conflict in
literature in Indian context indicates thatthe Information Society. In S. Dragojevic.,
e-culture has received poor attention. HenceD. Dodd., B. Cvjeticanin and C. Smithuijsen
this investigation is an attempt made to(Ed) (2005): E-Culture: The European
understand the relationship between e-culturePerspective- Cultural Policy, Creative
and the psychological variables of culturalIndustries, Information Lag (From the
determination and sensation seekingproceeding of the round table meeting,
behaviour.Zagreb, 24-27 April 2003). Zagreb: Institute
of  International  Relations.  pp.  21-30.
METHOD
Mitchell, R. (2003). Information Society and
SampleE-culture: On the Rise and Popularity of the
Concepts. In S. Dragojevic., D. Dodd., B.
The sample for this study comprised of 100Cvjeticanin and C. Smithuijsen (Ed)(2005):
students (50 females and 50 males) randomlyE-Culture: The European Perspective- Cultural
selected from Annamalai University,Policy, Creative Industries, Information Lag
Chidambaram Taluk in Cuddalore District,(From the proceeding of the round table
Tamil Nadu. The age range of the sample weremeeting, Zagreb, 24-27 April 2003). Zagreb:
between 18 to 24 years (Mean Age= 22.1Institute of International Relations. pp.
years).9-18.
Tools  usedNetherlands Council for Culture. (2004.
English Edition). From ICT to E-culture:
The research tools used in this study forAdvisory report on the digitalization of
data collected were the (1) e-cultureculture and the implications for cultural
inventory, (2) Brief sensation seekingpolicy (Submitted to the Netherlands State
behaviour scale, and (3) culturalSecretary for Education, Culture and Science,
determination scale, selected after aJune 2003). The Hague: Netherlands Council
comprehensive  review  of related literature.for  Culture  Publishing.
(1)  E-culture  inventoryOishi, S., Schimmack, U and Diener, E.
(2001). Pleasures and Subjective Well-Being.
This inventory was developed by Patel andEuropean Journal of Personality. 15. pp.
Rajendran (2005) to measure e-culture. The153-167.
inventory consists of 42 items with 2
responses, i.e., "yes" and "no" respectivelyOsama Manzar (2005). "The Best of E-contents
for each item. The 42 items are classified2005." Delhi: Digital Empowerment Foundation
into 4 areas, namely, home=16 items,(DEF).
office=11 items, personal=8 items and
public=7 items. The score for 'yes' in homePatel, J. M. A and Rajendran, K. (2005)
area is 2, in office is 1, in personal areaE-culture Inventory. SCOPE- Annamalai
is 3 and in public area is 1 were as thePsychology  Journal,  Vol.  I,  pp.  1-11.
score for 'no' in all the areas is 0. The
maximum score possible in this inventory isZuckerman, C. (1978). "The Search for High
74 and the minimum score is 0. High scoreSensation." Psychology Today. Sussex
indicates high e-culture and low scorePublishers, Inc.



1 A B C D 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103