Interview with Larry Rosen: "The What, Why, and How of Technology"

Dr. Larry Rosen is Professor Emeritus of Psychology at California State University, Dominguez Hills.

His research focuses on what he calls the “what, why, and how” of technology: what are people doing with their devices, why is it affecting their behavior the way it is, and how can we relate more wisely to these tools.

“We’re all part of a grand experiment. We have no earthly clue what it means to give a ten-year-old a smartphone.”

Jump to a question:

• Who are you and where do you work?

• What is the current focus of your research?

• When did the current era of research into psychology and technology begin?

• How did you come to be “radicalized” about this topic?

• Are current fears about the damaging effects of technology overblown?

• What effects are our phones having on our minds?

• Does technology exploit existing boredom and anxiety or cause it?

• What aspects of technology pose a unique risk to young people?

• How is technology affecting young people’s sleep?