John McAlaney

John McAlaney is a Chartered Psychologist, Chartered Scientist and Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Bournemouth University. He completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Stirling, his MSc at the University of Strathclyde and then his PhD at the University of West of Scotland in 2007. Dr McAlaney’s PhD was on the topic of social psychology and substance use, looking particularly at misperceptions of peer norms. Following this he worked on an AERC funded post-doc position at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine before moving onto a lecturing post at the University of Bradford in 2008. He joined the Department of Psychology at Bournemouth University in 2014. Since joining Bournemouth he has collaborated extensively with colleagues in the Department of Computing and Informatics to explore psychological factors of cyber security, including participation in hacking and hacktivism, group dynamics in cyber security actors and decision making processes in relation to phishing emails and other mediums.

Publications

Introducing Psychological Concepts and Methods to Cybersecurity Students
Introducing Psychological Concepts and Methods to Cybersecurity Students
Jacqui Taylor, Helen Thackray, Sarah E. Hodge, John McAlaney. © 2021. 11 pages.
This chapter begins with a brief review of the literature that highlights what psychology research and practice can offer to cybersecurity education. The authors draw on their...
Exploring the Risk Factors of Interactive E-Health Interventions for Digital Addiction
Exploring the Risk Factors of Interactive E-Health Interventions for Digital Addiction
Amen Alrobai, John McAlaney, Keith Phalp, Raian Ali. © 2019. 16 pages.
Digital Addiction refers to a problematic usage of digital devices characterised by being excessive, compulsive, impulsive and hasty. It is often associated with negative life...
Exploring the Risk Factors of Interactive E-Health Interventions for Digital Addiction
Exploring the Risk Factors of Interactive E-Health Interventions for Digital Addiction
Amen Alrobai, John McAlaney, Keith Phalp, Raian Ali. © 2019. 16 pages.
Digital Addiction refers to a problematic usage of digital devices characterised by being excessive, compulsive, impulsive and hasty. It is often associated with negative life...
Emerging Threats for the Human Element and Countermeasures in Current Cyber Security Landscape
Emerging Threats for the Human Element and Countermeasures in Current Cyber Security Landscape
Vladlena Benson, John McAlaney, Lara A. Frumkin. © 2019. 6 pages.
The chapter presents an overview of emerging issues in the psychology of human behaviour and the evolving nature of cyber threats. It reflects on the role of social engineering...
Exploring the Risk Factors of Interactive E-Health Interventions for Digital Addiction
Exploring the Risk Factors of Interactive E-Health Interventions for Digital Addiction
Amen Alrobai, John McAlaney, Keith Phalp, Raian Ali. © 2019. 16 pages.
Digital Addiction refers to a problematic usage of digital devices characterised by being excessive, compulsive, impulsive and hasty. It is often associated with negative life...
Psychological and Behavioral Examinations in Cyber Security
Psychological and Behavioral Examinations in Cyber Security
John McAlaney, Lara A. Frumkin, Vladlena Benson. © 2018. 334 pages.
Cyber security has become a topic of concern over the past decade. As many individual and organizational activities continue to evolve digitally, it is important to examine the...
Introducing Psychological Concepts and Methods to Cybersecurity Students
Introducing Psychological Concepts and Methods to Cybersecurity Students
Jacqui Taylor, Helen Thackray, Sarah E. Hodge, John McAlaney. © 2018. 11 pages.
This chapter begins with a brief review of the literature that highlights what psychology research and practice can offer to cybersecurity education. The authors draw on their...
Groups Online: Hacktivism and Social Protest
Groups Online: Hacktivism and Social Protest
Helen Thackray, John McAlaney. © 2018. 16 pages.
This chapter provides a brief introduction to hacktivism and social protest online and highlights some of the socio-psychological and cognitive factors that can lead to...
Emerging Threats for the Human Element and Countermeasures in Current Cyber Security Landscape
Emerging Threats for the Human Element and Countermeasures in Current Cyber Security Landscape
Vladlena Benson, John McAlaney, Lara A. Frumkin. © 2018. 6 pages.
The chapter presents an overview of emerging issues in the psychology of human behaviour and the evolving nature of cyber threats. It reflects on the role of social engineering...
Exploring the Risk Factors of Interactive E-Health Interventions for Digital Addiction
Exploring the Risk Factors of Interactive E-Health Interventions for Digital Addiction
Amen Alrobai, John McAlaney, Keith Phalp, Raian Ali. © 2016. 15 pages.
Digital Addiction refers to a problematic usage of digital devices characterised by being excessive, compulsive, impulsive and hasty. It is often associated with negative life...