Abstract
Talented computer hackers enjoy leverage within the larger computing community, a level of in- fluence that may be turned toward both positive and negative activities. Hackers, however, are differentiated along several characteristics. So, this effort to understand talented computer hackers (1) reviews a taxonomy of computer hackers; (2) blends three theories (the social psychology of creativity, social identity theory, and a motivational hierarchy of needs); (3) reports empirical findings regarding the demographic characteristics, social roles, and personality observations of hackers; and (4) adds observations from a long-time participant in the IT culture.We use the social psychology of creativity to offer three propositions that can contribute to our understanding and management of talented computer hackers.
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Heinzen, T.E., Picciano, L.M. (2009). Ilk Hunting: Newbies, Cyberpunks, Coders and the Search for Elusive, Ego-Twisted, Talented Computer Hackers. In: Shavinina, L.V. (eds) International Handbook on Giftedness. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-6162-2_39
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