The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically changed social interactions. Social distancing policies, lockdowns, and mandatory quarantines have accelerated the technological mediation of communication (e.g. AI-mediated communication, computer-mediated communication) on an unprecedented scale, willingly or otherwise. Many physical activities such as office work, education, and conferences have had to be performed in the online space through social media apps, the metaverse or specialized programs on mobile phones or laptops as part of pandemic control efforts. As a result, digitally mediated channels have become critical for information acquisition and communication across a wide spectrum of human activities such as education, social interaction, entertainment, and commercial activities. Human beings are increasingly reliant on non-human agents, including social media, Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered tools, or smartphone mobile devices for most routine activities, professional communication, and social interactions. As scientific understanding of COVID-19 improves, pandemic restrictions are gradually loosening. However, it remains to be seen whether the pandemic communication paradigm characterized by heavy technological mediation and reliance on non-human agents will also gradually decline, or will the paradigm shift become deeply entrenched with further acceleration of dependency on technological mediation and non-human agents.
The unprecedented reliance on technological mediation and non-human agents for information and communication is akin to a social-psychological experiment on a truly global scale. Much remains unknown since this unprecedented communication paradigm shift began almost two years ago. There are two main problems that require attention. First, the psychological impact of and the underlying mechanisms behind extended and extensive reliance on technological mediation and non-human agents is not yet well-understood, especially the influence of artificial intelligence technologies. Second, the extent to which the impact of such reliance is likely to persist and influence future communication is also not well-understood, especially in different national and cultural contexts. Research employing advances in big data techniques together with traditional “small” data techniques can help to provide some insights into these two problems.
This special issue seeks to understand how the pandemic has reshaped human communication, especially cognitive, psychological and behavioural shifts in social interactions. Original research, meta-analysis, and review articles related to these topics are welcome. Quantitative and qualitative approaches are equally appreciated. Potential relevant themes to this research topic may include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Psychology of human-computer/human-robot interaction
• Mixed analysis of online user activity, content, and networks
• Social media use and psychological well-being
• Social media use and cognitive appraisals
• Metaverse and its impact on mental health
• Impact of COVID-19 on psychological changes
• Information seeking, sharing, and consumption
• Psychological effects of information communication technologies
• Social media conversations and psychological shifts
• Intergroup contacts and identification
• Psychological resilience
• Interpersonal and mass personal media and psychological well-being
• Mental health and psychological intervention
• Misinformation and Fact-checking
The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically changed social interactions. Social distancing policies, lockdowns, and mandatory quarantines have accelerated the technological mediation of communication (e.g. AI-mediated communication, computer-mediated communication) on an unprecedented scale, willingly or otherwise. Many physical activities such as office work, education, and conferences have had to be performed in the online space through social media apps, the metaverse or specialized programs on mobile phones or laptops as part of pandemic control efforts. As a result, digitally mediated channels have become critical for information acquisition and communication across a wide spectrum of human activities such as education, social interaction, entertainment, and commercial activities. Human beings are increasingly reliant on non-human agents, including social media, Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered tools, or smartphone mobile devices for most routine activities, professional communication, and social interactions. As scientific understanding of COVID-19 improves, pandemic restrictions are gradually loosening. However, it remains to be seen whether the pandemic communication paradigm characterized by heavy technological mediation and reliance on non-human agents will also gradually decline, or will the paradigm shift become deeply entrenched with further acceleration of dependency on technological mediation and non-human agents.
The unprecedented reliance on technological mediation and non-human agents for information and communication is akin to a social-psychological experiment on a truly global scale. Much remains unknown since this unprecedented communication paradigm shift began almost two years ago. There are two main problems that require attention. First, the psychological impact of and the underlying mechanisms behind extended and extensive reliance on technological mediation and non-human agents is not yet well-understood, especially the influence of artificial intelligence technologies. Second, the extent to which the impact of such reliance is likely to persist and influence future communication is also not well-understood, especially in different national and cultural contexts. Research employing advances in big data techniques together with traditional “small” data techniques can help to provide some insights into these two problems.
This special issue seeks to understand how the pandemic has reshaped human communication, especially cognitive, psychological and behavioural shifts in social interactions. Original research, meta-analysis, and review articles related to these topics are welcome. Quantitative and qualitative approaches are equally appreciated. Potential relevant themes to this research topic may include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Psychology of human-computer/human-robot interaction
• Mixed analysis of online user activity, content, and networks
• Social media use and psychological well-being
• Social media use and cognitive appraisals
• Metaverse and its impact on mental health
• Impact of COVID-19 on psychological changes
• Information seeking, sharing, and consumption
• Psychological effects of information communication technologies
• Social media conversations and psychological shifts
• Intergroup contacts and identification
• Psychological resilience
• Interpersonal and mass personal media and psychological well-being
• Mental health and psychological intervention
• Misinformation and Fact-checking
