The connection between computers and psychology is a critical juncture where psychological principles meet technological advancements which drive innovation and user-centric design in the tech industry. A solid understanding of human behavior and thinking is vital for tech developers to create intuitive, efficient and engaging technology that will match the needs of our customers.
While the field of psychology primarily addresses issues related to mental illness but it also touches the majority of other areas of our lives. In clinical settings, telehealth and online therapies are being used to provide treatment to patients who might not be financially able to afford traditional therapy services. The study of empathetic behavior and how best to help other people has led psychologists to create chatbots to provide an inclusive and accessible treatment for those who might be shy to speak with an orthodox therapist due to fear of judgement or embarrassment.
Computer technology has also altered the method psychologists collect data to conduct their research. Instead of questionnaires and tests that restrict researchers to a tiny group of people who have to be enticed into participating in research, capturing hundreds or thousands of people on a daily basis with computers allows for more sophisticated statistical analysis with a much greater amount of data. This new approach has become known as Psychoinformatics and is a fresh field of study in the field of psychology.
It’s safe say that psychology and computers are a natural pair, since both disciplines study the human mind and behavior. This is why it’s crucial for students who are interested in psychology to think about the variety of applications that can be made by advanced computer science skills.
