Literature Update

Some very interesting recently published results on gender-based differences in behavior in virtual environments … Well, I assume the title of the article has been carefully chosen to elicit strong controversies (“Even in virtual environments women shop and men build” … look, girls, I did not choose it, so no need to complain to me!). More seriously, this paper is easy to read, with straight to the point conclusions. Another very recent paper on an other facet of the same topic: are there differences in online support groups for prostate cancer (obviously: men), and breast cancer (obviously: female)? Well, you guessed it … yes there are some! Specifically, in the way the information is presented. Now, that does not mean it is necessarily what the readers of the support groups expected (it can be what the support group administrators tought was appropriated), but still, it is an interesting point overall …

Guadagno RE, Muscanell NL, Okdie BM, Burk NM, Ward TB (2011) Even in virtual environments women shop and men build: A social role perspective on Second Life. Computers in Human Behavior, 24:304-308.
Blank TO, Schmidt SD, Vangsness SA, Monteiro AK, Santagata PV (2010) Differences among breast and prostate cancer online support groups. Computers in Human Behavior, 26:1400-1404.