Psychology is no exception. Technology is a factor that affects or influences 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 utilize technology to investigate, comprehend and even treat mental disorders. Technology also aids psychologists in their research by allowing them to gather and analyze data much more quickly and accurately than they could otherwise. Technology is a crucial part of psychology research and treatment. From using computers to perform FMRI imaging, to the development of electronic tools for evaluating and tracking symptoms of patients suffering from anxiety or depression.
In addition, technology impacts the way humans interact with the digital systems they interact with on a regular basis. Many of the most renowned technology companies in the world have departments that include psychologists that are experts in perception and cognition of humans. They conduct studies to understand how people react to certain designs and then give recommendations based on that. In reality, most times you’re using a technology, be it your phone or Facebook you’re benefiting from the collaboration between computer science and psychology.
At Notre Dame, Sidney D’Mello is among the many researchers working at the meeting point of how to keep kids and teens safe on the internet psychology and computers. His research focuses on “affective computing,” which is the study of how computers can detect and interpret emotions. For instance, his group has developed a system that could allow computers to know when a person is about to become frustrated or anxious, so that it can intervene before it occurs.
