Technology influences or impacts virtually every aspect of our lives, and it’s no different in the realm of psychology. Similar to how technology affects how people behave and think as well as work, psychologists employ technology to explore, understand, and even treat mental illnesses. Technology aids psychologists in their research by giving them the ability to collect and analyse data much faster and more precise than they otherwise be capable of. From using computers to create fMRI images to developing electronic symptom assessment and tracking tools for patients with anxiety and depression technology is a major part of psychological treatment and research.
Additionally, technology affects the interaction between humans and the digital systems they interact with on a regular basis. Many of the world’s most famous technology companies have large departments that are staffed by psychologists who are experts in human cognition and perception as well as conducting research to discover how users react to certain designs, and recommend changes accordingly. The majority of the time when you are using a piece technology, like your phone or Facebook you benefit by the collaboration between psychology and computer science.
At Notre Dame, Sidney D’Mello is one of the researchers working on the intersection the two fields of psychology and computers. His research is focused on “affective computing,” which is the study of how computers can recognize and interpret emotions. His team, for instance has developed a mathematical model that can help a computer predict when the person is about become frustrated or anxious, so that it can take appropriate action before the event occurs.
