Biography

Scott Caplan is a professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Delaware. He researches technology and interpersonal behavior. He has developed and tested a cognitive behavioral model of problematic Internet use along with the Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale 2 (GPIUS2). To date, the GPIUS2 has been used worldwide and translated into 11 languages. 

Professor Caplan's book, "The Changing Face of Problematic Internet Use: An Interpersonal Approach" examines the trends and development of research on problematic types of online social behavior, including Internet/gaming addiction, online behavior and relational conflict, online infidelity, cyberbullying, cyberstalking, and the recent development of being constantly connected to mobile devices and social networks.

He is a member of the editorial​ board for Human Communication Research, Communication Research, Communication Quarterly, and the Journal of Computer Mediated Communication. 

Awards

Excellence in Teaching Award, 2006, University of Delaware​

Teaching Philosophy & Goals 

The relationship between communicative phenomena and well-being influences both his research and teaching. Professor Caplan strives to help students apply the findings from research to their own lives in order to enhance their psychosocial well-being. His guiding pedagogical philosophy is that true learning occurs when students become active participants in their own educations. 

Courses Regularly Taught 
COMM227: Communication in Family Systems
COMM230: Communication and Interpersonal Behavior
COMM417: Communication and Conflict Management
COMM630: Theories of Interpersonal Communication (Graduate Seminar)