Psychology is no different. Technology has an impact on or affects almost every aspect of our lives today including psychology. Similar to how technology affects the way people behave and think, and how they work, psychologists use technology to investigate, comprehend, and even treat mental disorders. The technology also helps psychologists in their research by making it possible for them to collect and analyse data much faster and more accurately than they would otherwise be in a position to. Technology is an integral aspect of the field of psychological research and treatment. From using computers for imaging with fMRI, to creating electronic tools to track and evaluate symptoms of patients suffering from anxiety or depression.
Technology also affects the relationship that humans have with the digital systems that they interact with every day. Many of the world’s most well-known technology companies have huge departments staffed with psychologists who are experts in human perception and cognition, who carry out studies to see how users respond to certain designs, and then recommend changes to the design in accordance with. In fact, most of the time, when you’re using a technology, be it your phone or Facebook you’re benefiting from the collaboration between psychology and computer science.
Sidney D’Mello, a researcher at Notre Dame University, is one of the many researchers working at the intersection of psychology and computers. His research focuses primarily on “affective Computing,” which is the study of the way computers recognize and interpret, emotions. For instance, his team has developed a model that could allow a computer to predict when a user is likely to be frustrated or anxious, and can intervene before it occurs.