Discuss Positive and Negative effects of technology

How has technology developed in the last century?

Technology has evolved enormously in the last century from computers for learning and working to video games for entertainment.

What have psychologists been asking?

With all of this change, psychologists have been asking whether all of this technology is good for us or not and therefore both positive and negative effects have been the subject of research.

Positive side of technology

On the positive side, some argue digital technology can enhance cognitive functioning
For example, video gaming can improve perception, mental rotation skills, visual memory, attention, task-switching, multi-tasking and decision-making.

Negative side of technology

On the negative side, some contend that digital technology can lead to distraction, reduced attention spans, a sense of social isolation, scattered thinking and a decline in the ability to think analytically

What cognitive process has been the focus of several investigation how the effect of technology?

Memory

Klingberg et al. (2005)

Aim: to see if computer games could improve working memory capacity and reduce attention problems. 42 kids with ADHS were assigned to two condition: either a computer game designed to improve working memory that got harder or the same game but not designed to stretch their capacity. Results: those in the first condition improved their working memory capacity and reduced ADHD-related behaviors.

Parsons and Rizzo (2008)

Conducted a meta analysis of VRET used to treat disorders and found VRET had a significant impact in reducing PTSD symptoms. Collected 21 studies - they found a significant effect in using VRET to treat a range of anxiety disorders, including PTSD and phobias. Their results shown an effect size of 0.87 for PTSD when comparing VRET with other treatments. Thus, it could be that technology can be used to reduce anxiety, and by reducing anxiety it might help to improve working memory.

Roy et al (2014)

The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of exposure therapy for treating PTSD. The participants were 19 US combat veterans who were randomized to receive virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) or PE (prolonged exposure - type of imagination therapy). fMRIs were used before and after treatment to assess changes in brain activity and a PTSD questionnaire (CAPs scores) was used to measure PTSD symptoms. The results showed that the VRET group had significant reduction in CAPs in PE group. However, both groups had increased vmPFC and ACC activity as well as reduced amygdala activity. This suggests that VRET may be more effective than imagination therapy can reduce PTSD symptoms by improving activity in important areas of the brain associated with PTSD.