Many people view psychology and computer science as separate fields with little in common. The consensus is that computer science is a field with a strong quantitative research culture while psychology is rooted in qualitative research of human behavior and perception.
But in fact most of the modern computer science is influenced by psychology. The design of technology interfaces – from car dashboards, to airplane cockpits and from operating systems for computers to games controllers – are largely driven by psychologists who work closely with computer scientists. A lot of psychological research requires sophisticated software to process massive data sets.
Psychologists are also increasingly using technology to broaden their reach. The traditional methods of experimentation in psychology, which involve examining one aspect of behavior in an environment controlled by a psychologist or assessing more general patterns of behavior with interviews or self-report questionnaires, have inherent limitations. (Experiments are typically restricted to a single experiment while longitudinal studies are uncommon due to the difficulty in collecting and analyzing large volumes of data.)
Computer technology has given us new ways to analyze the behavior of individuals. Computers are essential for the brain-imaging technology fMRI. The technology lets researchers connect specific areas of the brain with specific cognitive processes, such as memory or reading. EEG (electroencephalography) is another example of a technology that uses computer processing to record and analyze brain activity.
The CCBT method is now accepted by the UK's National Health Service as an effective treatment for mild-to moderate anxiety and depression. Artificial intelligence (AI) is set to revolutionize the practice of psychotherapy by replacing the therapist with robots that are able to assess and treat patients online.