Psychology and Computers
Technology has an impact on or affects the entirety of modern life and that’s the case when it comes to psychology. Similar to how technology influences how people behave, work, and think psychologists also utilize technology to investigate and understand mental disorders, and to treat them. Technology also aids psychologists with their research, enabling them to gather and analyze data more quickly and accurately than they could otherwise. From the use of computers in fMRI imaging to the development of electronic symptom assessments and tracking tools for patients suffering from depression and anxiety technology is an integral part of psychological treatment as well as research.
Technology also influences the way that humans interact with the digital systems that they interact with on a daily basis. Many of the world’s popular technology companies have vast departments that are staffed with psychologists who are experts in the field of human cognition and perception, who carry out studies to determine how users react to certain designs, and then suggest changes in response. In fact, most of the time, when you’re using a piece of technology, whether it’s your phone or Facebook, you’re benefiting from collaboration between psychology and computer science.
At Notre Dame, Sidney D’Mello is one of the researchers working at the crossroads point of psychology and computers. His research focuses primarily on „affective Computing,“ which is the study that examines how computers can recognize, and interpret emotions. For example, his team has developed a system that could allow a computer to detect when a user is likely to be frustrated or anxious, so it can intervene before it occurs.
