Many people view psychology and computer science as separate fields with little in common. The most popular view is that computer science has a very rigorous and quantitative research culture while psychology research is based on more qualitative studies of behavior and human perception.
In fact, the majority of modern computer science is inspired by psychology. The design of technology interfaces ranging from car dashboards to plane cockpits, from operating systems for computers to games controllers are mostly created by psychologists who work closely with computer scientists. A lot of psychological research requires sophisticated software for processing massive data sets.
Psychologists are also increasingly using technology to expand their reach. While the traditional experimental methods of psychology – investigating the behavior of a specific individual in a controlled environment or assessing larger behavior patterns using self-report questionnaires or interviews – are prone to limitations (experiments are limited to a single experiment, while longitudinal studies are not common because of the difficulties of collecting and analyzing large quantities of data).
Computer technology has opened up new avenues to study individuals’ behaviors. Computers are crucial for the brain-imaging technology fMRI. Researchers can link certain brain regions to cognitive processes like reading or memory. EEG (electroencephalography) is another example of a technology that uses computer processing to record and analyze brain activity.
Additionally that, the UK’s National Health Service now recognizes the practice of CCBT (computerized cognitive behavioral therapy) as an effective treatment for mild-to-moderate presentations of depression and anxiety. And artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to revolutionize the practice of psychotherapy by replacing therapy professionals with robots that evaluate and treat patients online.
