Psychology and Computers

Some people view psychology and computer science as separate fields with little in common. The consensus is that computer science is a very rigorous and quantitative research culture, while psychology research is based on more qualitative research into human behavior and perception.

In fact, the majority of the computer science that we have today is inspired by psychology. The design of interfaces for technology – from car dashboards to airplane cockpits as well as operating systems for computers to game controllers – are largely driven by psychologists who work closely with computer scientists. A lot of psychological research requires sophisticated software for processing massive data sets.

Psychologists are increasingly utilizing technology to increase their reach. The traditional methods of research in psychology, that focus on one aspect of behavior within an environment controlled by a psychologist or assessing more general patterns of behavior with interviews or self-report questionnaires, have inherent limitations. (Experiments are typically limited to a single study while longitudinal studies are uncommon because of the difficulty of collecting and analyzing large volumes of data.)

The use of computer technology has opened up new avenues for check my reference understanding individuals’ behaviors. Computers are crucial for the brain-imaging technology fMRI. The technology lets researchers connect specific areas of the brain to specific cognitive processes like reading or memory. EEG (electroencephalography) is another example of a technology that uses computer processing to record and analyze brain activity.

Additionally, the UK’s National Health Service now recognizes the use of CCBT (computerized cognitive behavioral therapy) as an effective treatment for moderate to mild cases of depression and anxiety. And artificial intelligence (AI) is set to transform the practice of psychotherapy by replacing therapists with robots that can examine and treat patients on the internet.