Dr Chris Fullwood
Dr Chris Fullwood began his academic career in 2001, following the completion of his PhD in the Psychology of Telecommunications at the University of Stirling. His research has primarily focused on cyberpsychology, with a particular interest in how people manage impressions and present themselves in online environments, as well as how perceptions of others are formed through digital interactions. More broadly, his work explores the ways in which digital technologies shape identity, relationships, and social behaviour. In recent years, Chris has also collaborated on projects examining digital inclusion and the role of technology in empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Chris was one of the founding members of the British Psychological Society’s (BPS) Cyberpsychology section and was part of the working group tasked with updating the BPS’s Internet Mediated Research guidelines in 2020. He also co-leads the Psychology of New and Emerging Technology (PsyNET) research lab.
Areas of Expertise
- Cyberpsychology
- Social psychology
- Online self-presentation / impression management
- Digital inclusion
- Psychological phenomena associated with video gaming and virtual reality
- Cybercrime
- Personality psychology
- Online research methods and ethics
- Q-methodology
- Content analysis
- Scale validation
Qualifications
- PhD (University of Stirling)
- PGCert in HE (University of Wolverhampton)
- BSc Psychology (University of Stirling)
Memberships
- Chartered Cyberpsychologist with the British Psychological Society
- Senior fellow with the Higher Education Academy
Research
- Psychological correlates with online self-presentation experimentation
- Identity exploration in digital environments
- Personality and the self-presentation tactics of online daters
- Digital health seeking behaviours of individuals with intellectual disabilities
- Online self-presentation behaviour and sexual identity
- Using virtual reality to overcome fear of public speaking
- Positive psychological benefits of video gaming
- Perspective-taking and the Proteus effect in VR and video games
- Attitudes towards artificial intelligence
- Psychological ramifications of forming relationships with AI
Publications
Peer-reviewed journal articles
Farmer, G., Higson, N., & Fullwood, C. (2025). "It's a good distraction from the mayhem of reality:" A reflexive thematic analysis on the role of video games to support coping during a crisis. Frontiers in Digital Health 7 (2025): 1608322.
Fullwood, C., Cross, L., Atherton, G., & Chadwick, D. (2025). Testing the Proteus effect in autistic and neurotypical participants. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 28(3), 162-168.
Bodroža, B., Fullwood, C., & Dinic, B. (2025). Psychometric evaluation of the Serbian adaptation of the Presentation of Online Self Scale (POSS) and further construct validation. Europe’s Journal of Psychology, 21(3), 234-248.
Spicer, S. G., Close, J., Nicklin, L. L., Uther, M., Whalley, B., Fullwood, C., Parke, J., Lloyd, J., & Lloyd, H. (2024). Exploring the relationships between psychological variables and loot box engagement, part 2: exploratory analyses of complex relationships. Royal Society Open Science, 11(1), 231046.
Close, J., Spicer, S. G., Nicklin, L. L., Uther, M., Whalley, B., Fullwood, C., Parke, J., Lloyd, J., & Lloyd, H. (2023). Exploring the relationships between psychological variables and loot box engagement, part 1: pre-registered hypotheses. Royal Society Open Science, 10(12), 231045.
Conroy, D., Chadwick, D., Fullwood, C., & Lloyd, J. (2023). “You have to know how to live with it without getting to the addiction part”: British young adult experiences of smartphone overreliance and dysconnectivity. Psychology of Popular Media, 12(4), 471-480.
Jovanovic, T., Bodroža, B., Orchard, L., Fullwood, C., Kermani, H., Casale, S., Fioravanti, G., Buljan, I., & Hren, D. (2022). Psycho-Social Aspects of Facebook Use in a cross-cultural context. Psihologija.
Spicer, S. G., Fullwood, C., Close, J., Nicklin, L. L., Lloyd, J., & Lloyd, H. (2022). Loot boxes and problem gambling: Investigating the “gateway hypothesis”. Addictive Behaviors, 131, 107327.
Lloyd, J., Nicklin, L.L., Spicer, S.G. Fullwood, C., Uther, M., Hinton, D.P., Parke, J., Lloyd, H., & Close, J. (2021). Development and validation of the RAFFLE; a measure of Reasons and Facilitators for Loot box Engagement. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 10(24), 5949.
Fullwood, C., Wesson, C., Chen-Wilson, J., Keep, M., Asbury, T., & Wilsdon, L. (2020). If the mask fits: Psychological correlates with online self-presentation experimentation in adults. Cyberpsychology, Social Networking and Behavior, 23(11), 737-742.
Scott, G.G., & Fullwood. C. (2020). Does recent research evidence support the hyperpersonal model of online impression management? Current Opinion in Psychology, 36, 106-111.
Fullwood, C., Chadwick, D., Keep, M., Attrill-Smith, A., Asbury, T., & Kirwan, G. (2019). Lurking towards empowerment: Explaining propensity to engage with online health support groups and its association with positive outcomes. Computers in Human Behavior, 90, 131-140.
Chadwick, D., & Fullwood, C. (2018). An online life like any other: Identity, self-determination, and social networking among adults with intellectual disabilities. Cyberpsychology, Social Networking and Behavior, 21(1), 56-64.
Fullwood, C., & Attrill, A. (2018). Updating: Ratings of perceived dating success are better online. Cyberpsychology, Social Networking and Behavior, 21(1), 11-15.
Kirwan, G., Fullwood, C., & Rooney, B. (2018). Risk factors for social networking site scam victimisation amongst Malaysian students. Cyberpsychology, Social Networking and Behavior, 21(2), 123-128.
Fullwood, C., Quinn, S., Kaye, L.K., & Redding, C. (2017). My Virtual friend: A qualitative analysis of the attitudes and experiences of Smartphone users: Implications for Smartphone attachment. Computers in Human Behavior, 75, 347-355.
Chadwick, D., Quinn, S., & Fullwood, C. (2017). Perceptions of the risks and benefits of Internet access and use by people with intellectual disabilities. British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 45(1), 21-31.
Fullwood, C., James, B., & Chen-Wilson, J. (2016). Self-concept clarity and online self-presentation in adolescents. CyberPsychology, Behavior and Social Networking, 19(12), 716-720.
Fullwood, C., Nicholls, N., & Makichi, R. (2015). We've got something for everyone: How individual differences predict different blogging motivations. New Media and Society, 17(9), 1583-1600.
Fullwood, C., Quinn, S., Chen-Wilson, J., Chadwick. D., & Reynolds, K. (2015). Put on a smiley face: Textspeak and personality perceptions. Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking. 18(3), 147-151.
Orchard, L., Fullwood, C., Morris, N., & Galbraith, N. (2015). Investigating the Facebook experience through Q methodology: Collective investment and a ‘Borg’ mentality. New Media and Society. 17(9), 1547-1565.
Eftekhar, A., Fullwood, C., & Morris, N. (2014). Capturing personality from Facebook photos and photo-related activities: How much exposure do you need? Computers in Human Behavior, 37, 162–170.
Orchard, L., Fullwood, C., Galbraith, N., & Morris. (2014). Individual differences as predictors of social networking. Journal of Computer Mediated Communication, 19(3), 388-402.
Chadwick, D., Wesson, C., & Fullwood, C. (2013). Internet access by people with intellectual disabilities: Inequalities and opportunities. Future Internet, 5(3), 376-397.
Fullwood, C., Orchard, L., & Floyd, S. (2013). Emoticon convergence in Internet chat rooms. Social Semiotics, 23(5), 648-662
Fullwood, C., Melrose, K., Morris, N., & Floyd, S. (2013). Sex, blogs and baring your soul: Factors influencing UK blogging strategies. Journal of Association for Information Science and Technology, 64(2), 345-355.
Fullwood, C., & Morris, N. (2013). Like what you see? The effect of video-mediated gazing on information recall and impression formation. Electronic Journal of Communication, 23 (1).
Venner, R., Galbraith, N., & Fullwood, C. (2012). Anonymity and level of support given on a health-related online support forum. Journal of Cybertherapy and Rehabilitation, 5(1), 9-13.
Fullwood, C., Evans, L. & Morris, N. (2011). Linguistic androgyny on MySpace. Journal of Language and Social Psychology, 30(1), 114-124.
Fullwood, C., Thelwall, M. & O’Neill, S.* (2011). Clandestine chatters: Self-disclosure in UK chat room profiles. First Monday, Volume 16, Number 5-2.
Orchard, L.J. & Fullwood, C. (2010). Current perspectives on personality and Internet use. Social Science Computer Review, 28(2), 155-169.
Fullwood, C., Sheehan, N., & Nicholls, W. (2009). Blog function revisited: A content analysis of MySpace blogs. CyberPsychology, Behavior and Social Networking, 12, 685-689.
Fullwood, C., & Wootton, N. (2009). Comforting communication in an online epilepsy forum. Journal of Cybertherapy and Rehabilitation, 2(2), 159-164.
Fullwood, C., Judd, A.M., & Finn, M. (2008). The effect of initial meeting context and video-mediation on jury perceptions of an eyewitness. The Internet Journal of Criminology.
Fullwood, C. (2007). The effect of mediation on impression formation: A comparison of face-to-face & video-mediated conditions. Applied Ergonomics, 38, 267-273.
Fullwood, C. & Martino, O.I. (2007). Emoticons and impression formation. Applied Semiotics, 19, 4-14.
Fullwood, C., & Doherty-Sneddon, G. (2006). Effect of gazing at the camera during a video link on recall. Applied Ergonomics, 37(2), 167-175.
Fullwood, C., Galbraith, N. & Morris, N. (2006). Impulsive nonconformity in female chat room users. CyberPsychology, Behavior and Social Networking, 9(5), 634-637.
Books and Edited Volumes
Fullwood, C. (Editor-in-chief), Branley-Bell, D., Orchard, L., Limniou, M., & Stefanova, V. (2026). The Palgrave Encyclopedia of Cyberpsychology. Palgrave Macmillan. (ISBN: 978-3-031-52643-5).
Attrill-Smith, A., Fullwood, C., Keep, M., Kuss, D. (2019). The Oxford Handbook of Cyberpsychology. OUP, Oxford.
Fullwood, C., & Attrill-Smith, A. (2018). Special issue on ‘constructing the self online’. Cyberpsychology, Social Networking and Behavior, volume 21, issue 1, January 2018.
Wiederhold, B.K., Riva, G., Fullwood, C., Attrill-Smith, A. & Kirwan, G. (2017). Annual Review of Cybertherapy and Telemedicine Vol 15. Amsterdam: IOS Press.
Attrill, A., & Fullwood, C. (2016). Applied Cyberpsychology: Practical applications of cyberpsychological research and theory. Palgrave Macmillan.
Book Chapters
Fullwood, C. (2026). Presentation of Online Self Scale (POSS). The Palgrave Encyclopedia of Cyberpsychology. Palgrave Macmillan.
Fullwood, C. (2026). Video-mediated communication and self-presentation. The Palgrave Encyclopedia of Cyberpsychology. Palgrave Macmillan.
Fullwood, C., Stiff, C., & Chadwick, D. (2026). What is Cyberpsychology? The Palgrave Encyclopedia of Cyberpsychology. Palgrave Macmillan.
Orchard, L., & Fullwood, C. (2026). Online dating: The what, how and why. The Palgrave Encyclopedia of Cyberpsychology. Palgrave Macmillan.
Wong, M., & Fullwood, C. (2026). Zoom Fatigue. The Palgrave Encyclopedia of Cyberpsychology. Palgrave Macmillan.
Fullwood, C. (2019). Impression management and self-presentation online. In A. Attrill-Smith, C. Fullwood, M. Keep & D. Kuss (Eds.). The Oxford Handbook of Cyberpsychology. OUP, Oxford.
Lloyd, J., Attrill-Smith, A., & Fullwood, C. (2019). Online romantic relationships. In A. Attrill-Smith, C. Fullwood, M. Keep & D. Kuss (Eds.). The Oxford Handbook of Cyberpsychology. OUP, Oxford.
Popovac, M., & Fullwood, C. (2019). The Psychology of online lurking. In A. Attrill-Smith, C. Fullwood, M. Keep & D. Kuss (Eds.). The Oxford Handbook of Cyberpsychology. OUP, Oxford.
Fullwood, C. (2016). Online support groups: Enhancing the user experience with cyberpsychological theory. In A. Attrill & C. Fullwood (Eds.). Applied Cyberpsychology: Practical applications of cyberpsychological research and theory. Palgrave Macmillan.
Myddleton, J., & Fullwood, C. (2016). Social media impact on organisations. In A. Attrill & C. Fullwood (Eds.). Applied Cyberpsychology: Practical applications of cyberpsychological research and theory. Palgrave Macmillan.
Fullwood, C. (2015). The role of personality in online self-presentation. In A. Attrill (Ed.) Cyberpsychology (pp. 9-28). Oxford University Press, Oxford.
Chadwick, D., Fullwood, C., & Wesson, C. (2013). Intellectual disability, identity and the Internet. In R. Luppicini (Ed.) Handbook of research on technoself: identity in a technological society, USA: IGI Global (pp. 229-254) (ISBN 978-1-4666-2211-1).
Fullwood, C., & Finn, M. (2010). Video-mediated communication and impression formation: An integrative review. In A.C. Rayler (Ed.), Videoconferencing: Technology, Impact and Applications (pp. 35-55). Nova Science (ISBN 978-1616682859).
Full Published Conference Papers
Wilsdon, L., Uther, M., Chadwick, D. and Fullwood, C. (2022) Using audio-mixing software to facilitate remote data collection of conversational interactions. In Proceedings of the 35th BCS Human-Computer Interaction Conference, 11th-13th July, 2022, Keele University.
Chadwick, D., Fullwood, C., & Wesson, C. (2019). Carer communication and support for digital inclusion of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 63(7), 746-746. 5th IASSIDD World Congress. Glasgow, Scotland, 6th – 9th August, 2019.
Fullwood, C., Boultwood, E., & Chadwick, D. (2019). “Thanks for writing but I’m not interested”: A qualitative analysis of men’s experience of online dating. In A. Marcus & W. Wang (eds.) Design, user experience, and usability. Practice and case studies. 8th International Conference, DUXU 2019, held as part of the 21st HCI International Conference, HCII 2019, Orlando, Florida, Proceedings Part IV.
Wilsdon, L., & Fullwood, C. (2017). The effect of immersion and presence in a Virtual Reality public speaking task. In B. K. Wiederhold, G. Riva, C. Fullwood, A. Attrill-Smith & G. Kirwan (Eds.), Annual Review of Cybertherapy and Telemedicine Vol 15. (pp. 211-213). Amsterdam: IOS Press.
Fox Hamilton, N., Fullwood, C., & Kirwan, G. (2015). Language in online dating texts: Trait identification, homophily, and their effect on attraction. In B. K. Wiederhold, G. Riva, & M. D. Wiederhold (Eds.), Annual Review of Cybertherapy and Telemedicine Vol. 13. (pp. 112–116). Amsterdam: IOS Press.
Ballam, D., & Fullwood, C. (2010). Fluidity of personal boundaries in online social media: implications for netiquette. In M. Anderson (Ed.) Contemporary Ergonomics and Human Factors 2010. London: Taylor Francis (pp. 391-399) (ISBN 978-0415584463).
Davis, S.J., Fullwood, C., Martino, O.I., Derrer, N.M, & Morris, N. (2006). Here’s looking at you: a review of the nonverbal limitations of VMC. In P.D. Bust (Ed.) Contemporary Ergonomics 2006. London: Taylor and Francis (pp. 290-292) (ISBN: 978-0415398183).
Derrer, N.M., Fullwood, C., Davis, S.J., Martino, O.I., & Morris, N. (2006). An initial face-to-face meeting improves person-perceptions of interviewees across VMC. In P.D. Bust (Ed.) Contemporary Ergonomics 2006. London: Taylor and Francis (pp. 296-298).
Fullwood, C., Derrer, N.M., Martino, O.I., Davis, S., & Morris, N. (2006). The effect of an icebreaker on collaborative performance across a video link. In P.D. Bust (Ed.) Contemporary Ergonomics 2006. London: Taylor and Francis (pp. 293-295) (ISBN: 978-0415398183).
Martino, O.I., Fullwood, C., Davis, S.J., Derrer, N.M., & Morris, N. (2006). Maximising VMC: The effects of system quality and set-up on communicative success. In P.D. Bust (Eds.) Contemporary Ergonomics 2006. London: Taylor and Francis (pp. 139-143) (ISBN: 978-0415398183).
Fullwood, C., Martino, O., & Morris, N. (2005). Multi-media packaging: an ergonomic appraisal. In P.D. Bust & P.T. McCabe (Eds.) Contemporary Ergonomics 2005. London: Taylor and Francis (pp. 373-377) (ISBN: 978-0415374484).
Martino, O., Fullwood, C., & Morris, N. (2005). Emotional factors in initiatives to promote health and safety: Effects of mood state on compliance. In P.D. Bust & P.T. McCabe (Eds.) Contemporary Ergonomics 2005. London: Taylor and Francis (pp. 383-387) (ISBN: 978-0415374484).
Morris, N., Fullwood, C., & Martino, L. (2005). Using Homer Simpson to promote safety. In P.D. Bust P.T. McCabe (Eds.) Contemporary Ergonomics 2005. London: Taylor and Francis (pp. 378-382) (ISBN: 978-0415374484).
Morris, N., Martino, O., & Fullwood, C. (2005). Manipulating the impact of public health information on mood. In P.D. Bust & P.T. McCabe (Eds.) Contemporary Ergonomics 2005. London: Taylor and Francis (pp. 388-391) (ISBN: 978-0415374484).