As more and more of the worlds professions becoming deeply rooted in technology, students and practitioners in the field of psychology must strive to keep up with these technological advances. With so much emphasis placed on social media, the Internet and mobile applications, the field of psychology is following suit. Students and psychologists can use a variety of resources to help with their education and career goals.
Social Media and the Field of Psychology
In years past, social media outlets were designed largely for social and personal use only. As time has gone on, more and people realized that social media was another channel for professional use. Students, professionals, organizations and mental health consumers can use these outlets to connect and communicate with others throughout the country. Social Media institutions that were originally designed for personal use, like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, have become ways to connect professionally. Additionally, new alternatives have been introduced as professional social media options, such as Plaxo, LinkedIn and Jobster.
Digital Publications and the Field of Psychology
Another major technological advancement is the switch from paper publications to digital publications. In the past, psychology students and professionals needed access to scholarly journals, publications and articles in a bulky manuscript format. In addition to being heavy they were also very expensive. With many publication options switching to the digital format, psychological information, articles and research are now cheaper, easier to access and more accessible by larger groups of people. Some students have the option of utilizing college subscriptions, paid for by their psychology department.
The Internet and the Field of Psychology
It is obvious that that expansion of the Internet has changed how the world operates. Psychology has also seen many changes as a result of the Internet. Information is now much more readily accessible to students, psychologists and researchers. Information that was formerly only found in psychological textbooks can be accessed with a simple online search. The Internet has also made it easier for people to become members of professional or student organizations. Another notable difference with the accessibly of the internet is Distance Learning. What began as video tapes crudely recorded by professors and watched at home by students has turned into a technologically advanced collegiate endeavor. Students can now earn a variety of online psychology degrees completely online.
Mobile Apps for the Field of Psychology
Another groundbreaking advancement in the field of psychology is the introduction of thousands and thousands of relevant Mobile Applications (Apps). Whether you are a psychology student or a psychologist there are apps that can help in almost every aspect of psychological study, practice and research. Apps, such as PsychExplorer, allow a wealth of information inside of an iPhone or iPad. There are informational apps that help students remember the historical theories of psychology. There are apps that help practitioners make better diagnoses. There are even apps with maps of the human brain to help us better understand the way the mind works.
It is clear that technological advances has helped further the study and practice of psychology. Students and practitioners can now be more connected than ever before. This is just another way for psychology students to gain information and begin a new and exciting career. So, for those individuals in the field of psychology who want to stay connected, technological advances continue to help in that pursuit.
