Big White Wall announces the launch of the Award for Psychological Insight

In the last couple of years, social networks have taken the media industry by storm as millions of people worldwide connect to each other online. But where has this need to network come from? And why is it so addictive?
Big White Wall launches the Award for Psychological Insight, offering a cash prize of $2,000 to the individual who best explores the psychological mysteries of social networking, and captures their findings in an article.

Commenting on the Award, Professor James W. Pennebaker, Chair of Psychology, University of Texas and author of Opening Up: The Healing Power of Expressing Emotions said: “Very little is known about self-expression online. Big White Wall's award is an excellent opportunity to explore internet-based social and emotional processes�.

How to take part
The Big White Wall Award for Psychological Insight is open to anyone who works or studies in the arena of psychology, counselling, therapy or emotional health.

Entrants must submit a 1500 – 2000 word article entitled ‘The psychology of networking online and its impact on emotional health’. Using a selection of social networks as case studies, entrants are invited to explore some of the following questions from a user’s perspective:
• What motivates people to join social networks?
• What underlies different levels and patterns of engagement with social networks?
• What encourages repeat usage and loyalty to any one site?
• What are the overall benefits and pitfalls of social networking from a psychological perspective?

The author of the winning article will receive a cash prize of £1000. Articles will be judged on an evaluation of each individual’s experiences alongside supporting research material and/or relevant psychological theory. The winning article will be published on www.bigwhitewall.com.
All entries must be submitted by midnight GMT on February 1st 2008. The winner will be announced on February 29th 2008.

For an application form and further information, email insightaward@bigwhitewall.com.

Note to editors:
Big White Wall is the place for emotional health online (www.bigwhitewall.com). It is a support network where, anonymously, people can honestly express everyday worries and deeper concerns, talk these through openly with others and learn more about how to be emotionally healthy.
Users can feel immediately better by expressing their thoughts and feelings on The Wall by adding a brick using the unique easy-to-use design tool. It is a form of digital graffiti which creates an infinite and permanent Wall of human emotion.

Big White Wall takes traditional offline networks and recreates them as a global online support network. For example, through Talkabout a dynamic community of users can talk about whatever is on their minds.

The critical difference between Big White Wall and other networks such as Facebook and MySpace, is that all users on Big White Wall are anonymous. This allows everyone to be open and honest and to really share what’s going on for them.
Big White Wall was launched in October 2007 and is currently in beta.

Contacts:
Jenny Hyatt Founder and Director jenny@bigwhitewall.com
Charlotte Vere Director charlotte@bigwhitewall.com