Psychology and Computers

Many people view psychology and computer science as two distinct fields with very little in common. The prevailing view is that computer science is an extremely rigorous and quantitative research culture, while psychological studies are rooted in more qualitative research into human behavior and perception.

In reality many of the innovations in computer science is influenced by psychological principles. Computer scientists and psychologists collaborate closely to create technology interfaces. This covers everything from car dashboards to cockpits and computer operating systems to game controllers. Likewise, a huge amount of psychology research is highly statistical and requires sophisticated software to process huge data sets.

Psychologists are also increasingly utilizing technology to broaden their reach. The traditional methods of research in psychology, which focus on one aspect of behavior within a controlled environment or assessing broader patterns of behavior through interviews or self-report questionnaires, have inherent limitations. (Experiments are usually limited to a single study long-term studies are not often conducted because of the difficulty in collecting and analyzing large amounts of data.)

Computer technology has provided new ways to analyze the behavior of individuals. For instance the brain-imaging technique known as fMRI wouldn’t be possible without computers. Researchers can connect certain brain regions to cognitive processes such as reading or memory. EEG (electroencephalography) is another example of a technology that uses computer processing to record and analyze brain activity.

Furthermore, the UK’s National Health Service now recognizes the practice of CCBT (computerized cognitive behavioral therapy) as a viable treatment for mild-to-moderate presentations of anxiety and depression. Artificial intelligence (AI) is set to transform the practice of psychotherapy by replacing therapists with robots able to examine and treat patients on the internet.

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