Sherry Turkle | Vibepedia
Sherry Turkle is a psychologist and sociologist who has spent her career studying the effects of technology on human relationships. Her work has been widely…
Contents
Overview
Sherry Turkle was born in 1948 in New York City. She grew up in a family of intellectuals and was encouraged to pursue her interests in psychology and sociology from a young age. Turkle earned her Bachelor's degree from Radcliffe College, where she studied psychology and philosophy, and later earned her Ph.D. in sociology from Harvard University, where she was influenced by thinkers like Erving Goffman and Harold Garfinkel. Her early research focused on the psychology of identity and self, and she was particularly interested in the ways that people use technology to shape their sense of self, as seen in the work of sociologists like C. Wright Mills and psychologists like Erik Erikson.
💻 The Rise of Technology and Human Relationships
In the 1980s, Turkle began to study the effects of technology on human relationships. She was one of the first researchers to explore the concept of 'online identity' and the ways that people use technology to create and manage their online personas, a topic also explored by researchers like Judith Donath and Steven Johnson. Her book 'The Second Self' (1984) was a seminal work in this area, and it explored the ways that people use technology to create and interact with their online selves, a concept that has been further developed by researchers like Sherry Ortner and Emily Martin. Turkle's work was influenced by the ideas of thinkers like Jean Baudrillard and Michel Foucault, and she has also been compared to other researchers like Donna Haraway and N. Katherine Hayles.
📊 Research and Publications
Turkle's research has been widely influential, and she has written several bestselling books on the topic of technology and human relationships. Her book 'Reclaiming Conversation' (2015) argued that the rise of technology has led to a decline in face-to-face conversation and a corresponding decline in empathy and deep thinking, a topic also explored by researchers like Andrew Keen and Douglas Rushkoff. The book was widely reviewed and discussed, with critics like Jonathan Franzen and Atul Gawande weighing in on the topic. Turkle has also been a vocal critic of the ways that technology companies like Facebook and Google use data to manipulate and control users, a topic also explored by researchers like Tim Wu and Zeynep Tufekci.
💬 Criticisms and Controversies
Turkle's work has not been without controversy. Some critics have argued that her views on technology are too pessimistic, and that she fails to account for the many positive effects that technology can have on human relationships, a critique also leveled by researchers like Clay Shirky and Steven Pinker. Others have argued that her research is too focused on the experiences of affluent, educated individuals, and that she fails to account for the ways that technology can be used to empower marginalized communities, a critique also made by researchers like Lisa Nakamura and danah boyd. Despite these criticisms, Turkle remains one of the most influential and respected researchers in the field of technology and human relationships, and her work continues to be widely read and discussed by thinkers like Evgeny Morozov and Bruce Schneier.
Key Facts
- Year
- 1948
- Origin
- New York City
- Category
- culture
- Type
- person
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sherry Turkle's background in psychology and sociology?
Sherry Turkle earned her Bachelor's degree from Radcliffe College and her Ph.D. in sociology from Harvard University. Her early research focused on the psychology of identity and self, and she was particularly interested in the ways that people use technology to shape their sense of self, as seen in the work of sociologists like C. Wright Mills and psychologists like Erik Erikson. Turkle's work has been influenced by thinkers like Jean Baudrillard and Michel Foucault, and she has also been compared to other researchers like Donna Haraway and N. Katherine Hayles.
What is the main argument of Turkle's book 'Reclaiming Conversation'?
Turkle's book 'Reclaiming Conversation' argues that the rise of technology has led to a decline in face-to-face conversation and a corresponding decline in empathy and deep thinking. The book explores the ways that technology can be used to facilitate conversation and connection, but also argues that these benefits are often outweighed by the negative effects of technology on human relationships. Turkle's work has been widely reviewed and discussed, with critics like Jonathan Franzen and Atul Gawande weighing in on the topic. Researchers like Andrew Keen and Douglas Rushkoff have also explored similar topics, and thinkers like Evgeny Morozov and Bruce Schneier have critiqued the ways that technology companies use data to manipulate and control users.
What are some criticisms of Turkle's work?
Some critics have argued that Turkle's views on technology are too pessimistic, and that she fails to account for the many positive effects that technology can have on human relationships. Others have argued that her research is too focused on the experiences of affluent, educated individuals, and that she fails to account for the ways that technology can be used to empower marginalized communities. Despite these criticisms, Turkle remains one of the most influential and respected researchers in the field of technology and human relationships, and her work continues to be widely read and discussed by thinkers like Clay Shirky and danah boyd.
How has Turkle's work been received by the academic community?
Turkle's work has been widely influential and respected within the academic community. Her books have been widely reviewed and discussed, and she has been recognized with numerous awards and honors for her contributions to the field of technology and human relationships. Researchers like Nicholas Carr and Jaron Lanier have cited her work, and she has been invited to speak at conferences like TED and SXSW, alongside thinkers like Steven Pinker and Lisa Nakamura. Turkle's work has also been recognized by organizations like the American Psychological Association and the Association for Computing Machinery.
What is Turkle's current research focus?
Turkle's current research focus is on the ways that technology is changing the way we think, feel, and interact with each other. She is particularly interested in the ways that technology can be used to facilitate empathy and deep thinking, and she is exploring the potential benefits and drawbacks of using technology to facilitate human connection. Turkle is also interested in the ways that technology can be used to empower marginalized communities, and she is working with researchers like danah boyd and Lisa Nakamura to explore these topics. Thinkers like Evgeny Morozov and Bruce Schneier have also explored similar topics, and organizations like the MIT Media Lab and the Harvard Berkman Klein Center have supported Turkle's research.