The interface between computers and psychology: Toward a psychology of computerization

This article describes the major issue that characterizes each dimension of the computer-psychology interface, and argues that it is time for psychology to formally recognize the importance of this emerging psychology of computerization.

Abstract

The computer has made itself felt virtually everywhere in modern life, including psychology. In fact, the literature that is concerned with computer-related issues indicates that there are four areas where the computing and psychological sciences have come to interact with each other on a consistent basis. The major dimensions of this computer-psychology interface are: artificial intelligence, human-computer interaction, clinical/educational applications, and the question of the impact of computers on human identity. A phenomenology of the computer-related psychological literature indicates that each of these four areas includes a specific group of core issues, key research studies, and leading authors. This article describes the major issue that characterizes each dimension of the computer-psychology interface, and argues that it is time for psychology to formally recognize the importance of this emerging psychology of computerization.