The impact of technology on psychology

As digital technology rapidly transforms every aspect of our lives, its impact on psychology is profound, giving rise to new fields, such as cyberpsychology, and innovative approaches for supporting mental health. Modern psychology now includes a critical focus on social media, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence (AI), which are integral to the study of human behaviour in cyberspace. With the British Psychological Society (BPS) recognising these advancements, cyberpsychologists are leading research projects that address new challenges and insights, from internet addiction and cyberbullying to therapeutic applications and cybersecurity. This convergence of technology and psychology is influencing everything from clinical interventions to social interactions, highlighting the need for enhanced digital mental health resources.

One of the most promising areas in technology’s impact on psychology involves AI-driven cyberpsychology. AI applications, such as AI-supported e-therapy or virtual avatars, allow researchers to analyse real-time responses in virtual environments, offering insight into digital social networking and human-computer interaction. Notably, cyberpsychology: journal of psychosocial research on cyberspace presents cutting-edge studies and research that illuminate the benefits and drawbacks of technology-driven psychological interventions, addressing critical issues like mental health, cyberattacks, and cybercrime. Fields such as social psychology and information technology are increasingly examining online behaviour, face-to-face interactions, and the psychological effects of screen time, as seen in numerous peer-reviewed journals, open access publications, and conferences supported by academia worldwide.

Key technological applications in psychology

In today’s technology-driven world, the field of cyberpsychology examines how digital interactions affect our online behaviour, offering insights into how social media use, online dating, and video games shape psychological well-being and social identity. As mobile devices become central to communication, they continuously influence our technology use patterns, from frequent social media interactions to engagement in virtual communities. This growing domain within social science also includes doctoral research that explores the psychological effects of digital connectivity, helping to establish frameworks for understanding behaviour in digital contexts. Cyberpsychology thus serves as an essential guide to comprehending and addressing the complex mental health impacts arising from our increasingly digital lives.

Virtual Reality (VR) in Therapy

VR applications are changing the face of psychological treatment, particularly in areas like exposure therapy. With immersive simulations, VR allows individuals to confront challenging environments, offering a safe context for practicing coping strategies in real-life situations. For example, projects like gameChange are exploring VR’s effectiveness in reducing anxiety in individuals with psychosis by replicating real-world scenarios. VR is also utilised to simulate specific social situations, thereby helping people with phobias or social anxieties adjust and adapt within controlled, supportive virtual settings.

Artificial Intelligence in Cyberpsychology

AI’s influence on psychology is transforming mental health approaches and has created a surge in research projects that utilise AI-powered avatars for therapeutic settings. AI social agents, designed based on social psychology theories, can interact and engage users in meaningful ways, collecting data that informs well-being and human behaviour. These AI applications promise lower costs and greater accessibility, although ongoing studies and developments will be essential in addressing limitations around genuine empathy and human connection in AI-driven therapy.

Learn more about technology and psychology

At the University of Sunderland, our MSc Psychology is designed to develop advanced skills in cyberpsychology and human-computer interaction. The program, available part-time and fully online, enables you to gain cutting-edge knowledge in this field while balancing work and study. You’ll study key areas such as online behaviour, internet use, digital technology, and cyberpsychology research methods.

Our MSc Psychology is studied part-time and is open to those with or without a bachelor’s degree in psychology. With six starts a year you can begin within weeks, and you’ll learn alongside peers from all over the world which will give you an opportunity to grow your global network.