Psychology is no different. Technology has an impact on or affects virtually every aspect of life today, including psychology. Similar to how technology affects the way people behave and think, and how they work, psychologists use technology to study, understand and even treat mental illnesses. Technology aids psychologists in their research by allowing them to gather and analyze data much more quickly and accurately than they would otherwise be able to. From using computers for fMRI imaging to the development of electronic symptom assessments and tracking tools for patients suffering from depression and anxiety technology is a major element of psychological treatment and research.
Additionally, technology influences the way humans interact with the digital systems that they interact with on a regular basis. Some of the most famous technology companies in the world have large departments staffed by psychologists that are experts in human cognition and perception. They conduct research studies to study how users react to certain designs and offer suggestions based on their findings. In the majority of cases, when you are using a piece technology, such as your phone or Facebook you are benefiting by the collaboration between psychology and computer science.
Sidney D’Mello, a researcher at Notre Dame University, is one of the many researchers who work at the intersection 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 example has developed mathematical models that aid computers in predicting when the person is about become frustrated or anxious and decide on the appropriate course of action before the event occurs.