how to monitor your kids computer use
Some people see computers and psychology as two distinct fields that have little in common. The consensus is that computer science is a very rigorous and quantitative research culture while psychology research is based on more qualitative studies of human behavior and perception.
But in fact most of the modern computer science is influenced by psychology. Psychologists and computer scientists collaborate to create technology interfaces. This covers everything from dashboards for cars to cockpits and computer operating systems to game controllers. Likewise, a huge amount of psychological research is statistically intensive and requires sophisticated software to process large data sets.
Psychologists are increasingly utilizing technology to expand their reach. The traditional methods of experimentation in psychology, which focus on one aspect of behavior within a controlled environment or assessing more general patterns of behavior with self-report questionnaires or interviews, have inherent limitations. (Experiments are typically restricted to a single experiment and longitudinal studies are not common because of the difficulty in gathering and analyzing large amounts of data.)
The use of computer technologies has opened new avenues to study individuals’ behaviors. For example the brain-imaging technology fMRI wouldn’t be possible without computers. Researchers can link specific brain regions with cognitive processes like reading or memory. EEG (electroencephalography) is another example of a technology that uses computer processing to record and analyze brain activity.
The CCBT approach is now recognized by the UK’s National Health Service as an effective treatment for mild to moderate depression and anxiety. Artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to transform psychotherapy by replacing the therapist with robots that are able to assess and treat patients online.