​Professor Caplan earned a PhD in interpersonal communication from Purdue University in 2000 and an MA from the University of Delaware in 1995. He joined the University of Delaware faculty in 1999. In 2006, he received the University of Delaware Faculty Senate Excellence in Teaching Award. He is currently a member of the Editorial​ Board for Human Communication Research, Communication Research, Communication Quarterly, and the Journal of Computer Mediated Communication.

Dr. Caplan's Google Scholar Profile Page

Research Program

Professor Caplan's research examines technology and interpersonal behavior.  He has worked to develop and test 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. 

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)