Understanding and Predicting Cyberstalking in Social Media: Integrating Theoretical Perspectives on Shame, Neutralization, Self-Control, Rational Choice, and Social Learning

Proceedings of the Journal of the Association for Information Systems Theory Development Workshop at the 2013 International Conference on Systems Sciences (ICIS 2013), Milan, Italy, December 15

42 Pages Posted: 23 Nov 2014 Last revised: 29 Dec 2016

See all articles by Paul Benjamin Lowry

Paul Benjamin Lowry

Virginia Tech - Pamplin College of Business

Jun Zhang

City University of Hong Kong (CityU) - Department of Information Systems

Chuang Wang

City University of Hong Kong (CityU) - Department of Information Systems

Tailai Wu

City University of Hong Kong (CityU) - Department of Information Systems

Mikko Siponen

University of Oulu

Date Written: December 15, 2013

Abstract

Cyberstalking has received increasing attention in academia and the public for its pervasive effect on society. However, there has been little comprehensive research concerning the mechanisms of cyberstalking behavior, particularly in social media. In this article, we define cyberstalking and explain how it is dramatically different from real-world stalking, and thus calls for additional taxonomic and theoretical development. Based on an extensive review of the literature and case studies of cyberstalking, we then propose a comprehensive taxonomy of cyberstalking. On this basis, we develop a theoretical model to explain and predict cyberstalking behavior. To better understand cyberstalking, we propose a model that integrates five theories within three levels of prediction: the intrapersonal level (emotional theory, neutralization theory, and self-control theory), the situational level (rational choice theory), and the interpersonal level (social learning theory). On this taxonomic and theoretical foundation, future empirical research should be able to further explain, predict, and test cyberstalking behavior online.

Keywords: Stalking, Cyberstalking, Shame, Neutralization, Self-control, Rational choice theory, Social learning theory of crime, Emotional theory of stalking, Self-control theory, Social media, Deviance

Suggested Citation

Lowry, Paul Benjamin and Zhang, Jun and Wang, Chuang and Wu, Tailai and Siponen, Mikko, Understanding and Predicting Cyberstalking in Social Media: Integrating Theoretical Perspectives on Shame, Neutralization, Self-Control, Rational Choice, and Social Learning (December 15, 2013). Proceedings of the Journal of the Association for Information Systems Theory Development Workshop at the 2013 International Conference on Systems Sciences (ICIS 2013), Milan, Italy, December 15, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2529582

Paul Benjamin Lowry (Contact Author)

Virginia Tech - Pamplin College of Business ( email )

1016 Pamplin Hall
Blacksburg, VA 24061
United States

Jun Zhang

City University of Hong Kong (CityU) - Department of Information Systems ( email )

83 Tat Chee Avenue
Kowloon
Hong Kong

Chuang Wang

City University of Hong Kong (CityU) - Department of Information Systems ( email )

83 Tat Chee Avenue
Kowloon
Hong Kong

Tailai Wu

City University of Hong Kong (CityU) - Department of Information Systems ( email )

83 Tat Chee Avenue
Kowloon
Hong Kong

Mikko Siponen

University of Oulu ( email )

P.O. Box 4600
Oulu FIN-90014, 90570
Finland

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
1,338
Abstract Views
4,223
Rank
27,726
PlumX Metrics