The intersection of psychology and computers is a critical junction where psychological principles are merged with technological advances, which drive innovations and user-centered design in the tech industry. It is crucial for tech developers to have a solid understanding of the human mind and behavior in order to design engaging, nimble and efficient technology that is most suitable for our users.
While the field of psychology primarily addresses problems related to mental disorders, it also intersects with just about everything else in our world. For instance, telehealth and online therapy are currently being used in clinical settings to offer access to treatments for patients who might not otherwise be able to pay for or access traditional therapy services. The study of empathy behaviors and how to best support other people has led psychologists to create chatbots to offer an inclusive and accessible treatment to those who are afraid to reach a traditional therapist out of fear of judgment or embarrassment.
Computer technology has also changed the way psychologists collect data for their research. Instead of using experiments and questionnaires, which restrict researchers to a certain number of participants who have to be enticed to take part as part of the study, computer technology can monitor hundreds or thousands individuals on a day-to-day basis. This allows for a more sophisticated statistical analysis of a greater number of data. This new approach is referred to as Psychoinformatics, and it is a new field of investigation within the field Psychology.
It’s safe to say that psychology and computers are a natural fit, because both fields focus on the study of human behavior and cognition. It’s crucial that students interested in psychology consider the many ways that they can be made possible by advanced computer skills.