Many see psychology and computers as two distinct fields that have little in common. The most popular view is that computer science is a very rigorous and quantitative research culture, while psychological studies are rooted in more qualitative studies of behavior and human perception.
But in fact, a lot of modern computer science is influenced by psychology. Computer scientists and psychologists work closely together to design technology interfaces. This includes everything from dashboards for cars to cockpits, computer operating systems to game controllers. A lot of psychological research requires sophisticated software for processing huge data sets.
Psychologists are increasingly relying on technology to broaden their reach. The traditional methods of research in psychology, which involve examining one aspect of behavior within an environment controlled by a psychologist or assessing more general patterns of behavior with self-report questionnaires or interviews, have inherent limitations. (Experiments are usually limited to a single study; longitudinal studies are rare due to the difficulty of gathering and analyzing large amounts of data.)
Computer technology has opened up new ways to analyze the behavior of people. For example the brain-imaging technique known as fMRI would not be possible without computers. The technology allows researchers to match specific areas of the brain with 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.
Furthermore, the UK’s National Health Service now recognizes the CCBT (computerized cognitive behavioral therapy) as a successful treatment for mild-to-moderate manifestations of depression and anxiety. And artificial intelligence (AI) is set to revolutionize psychotherapy by replacing therapists with robots that can evaluate and treat patients online.
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