Decoding the Dance: How Psychology and Sociology Make Your Tech Work

 

HCI is all about the relationship between humans and the technology they interact with.  Guar and colleagues (2024) do a fabulous job in their research article presenting these three critical things for a good relationship:

1. The User: This involves delving into your psychology - your goals, thought processes, and problem-solving skills. It also considers your physical limitations (ergonomics) and how you interact with others (sociology-ish).
2. The System: This is the technology itself, including the software, hardware, and interface design.
3. The Connection: This is where the magic happens! HCI experts consider how these elements work together to create a seamless experience.

Beyond the Screen: The Rise of Virtual Reality

Virtual Reality (VR) is a prime example of how HCI pushes boundaries. VR uses your senses to create an immersive experience. Imagine exploring a historical site or learning a new skill, all from the comfort of your home! For VR to work effectively, the interface must understand your hand movements and translate them into actions within the virtual world (Guar et al., 2024).

The Future of HCI: Reading Your Mind (Almost!)

The field of HCI is constantly evolving. Researchers are exploring how computers recognize our actions, emotions, and social cues. Imagine a system that can adjust its communication style based on whether you're feeling frustrated or relaxed. Of course, there are challenges. HCI must account for cultural differences in nonverbal communication and the complex interplay of emotions that can influence our interactions with technology. (Guar et al., 2024)

The Psychology Behind the Click

Here's where psychology comes back in. HCI research utilizes cognitive theories to understand how people process information on screens (Guar et al., 2024). This helps designers create interfaces that are easy to understand and remember. Gone are the days when HCI focused solely on keyboards and mice. Today, HCI recognizes the role of our entire thought process in how we interact with technology.

HCI is a fascinating field that bridges the gap between humans and technology. By incorporating insights from psychology, sociology, and cutting-edge advancements, HCI ensures that our tech experiences are functional, enjoyable, and emotionally engaging (Guar et al., 2024).

References

Guar, V., Bhatt, A., & Gupta,  N. (2024). An Interactive Study of AI and Psychology [Review of An Interactive Study of AI and Psychology]. International Journal of Early Childhood Special Education, 14(8).https://doi.org/10.48047/INTJECSE/V14I8.258

The Artificial Woman: A Haunting Figure in Our Stories

 

• Have you ever wondered where our fascination and sometimes fear of artificial women comes from? According to Peterson (2023), this theme has a long and complex history, dating back to ancient Greek and Roman myths.

From Metropolis to Pandora's Box: The Artificial Woman on Screen and in Myth

Consider the example of Fritz Lang's iconic film Metropolis 1927, which features the android Maria, a dangerous and manipulative creation. This trope of the artificial woman as a femme fatale - a beautiful but deadly seductress - is a recurring theme. (Petersen, 2023)

Peterson (2023) reminds us that the story goes much further back:

1. 
   In Greek mythology, we encounter Pandora, crafted by Hephaestus to punish humanity.
2. Pandora embodies a duality: both hope and evil unleashed upon the world.

The Pygmalion Paradox: Control, Creation, and the Fear of the Feminine

Another fascinating myth is the story of Pygmalion, a sculptor who falls in love with his ivory statue, Galatea. Here, we see the male desire for control and creation. Pygmalion longs for a woman who perfectly embodies his desires, a woman he can mold and possess (Petersen, 2023):

1. This desire for control, however, is often intertwined with a fear of the uncontrollable "female nature."
2. Both Pandora and Maria represent a threat to the established order.
3. A symbol of the chaos and destruction that unleashed female power can bring.

Galatea: The Exception and the Rule

• Peterson (2023) sees Galatea as an exception because, unlike the others, she is brought to life through divine intervention, and this transformation grants her a kind of realness that the others lack.
• 
  What Does the Artificial Woman Tell Us About Ourselves?
• Peterson (2023) argues that examining these stories can give us insight into the human psyche. Does our fascination with the artificial woman reflect our desire for control, creation, and perhaps even a form of immortality?
• As we move forward in an age of AI, understanding these psychological underpinnings can help us navigate our complex relationship with technology and its potential.

References

Petersen, C. (2023). Man-Machines [Review of Man-Machines]. In Book: AI - Limits and Prospects of Artificial Intelligence. https://doi.org/10.1515/9783839457320-009

Pride and Progress: How the DSM Came to Celebrate Diversity

 

June is Pride Month to celebrate the LGBT+ community and the ongoing fight for equality. While significant strides have been made, it's important to remember the long journey towards acceptance. Today, the thought of homosexuality being listed as a mental illness seems absurd. But for much of history, the battle for LGBT+ rights included a fierce fight within the medical field.

• 
  This post explores the changing views of homosexuality in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), the most widely used psychiatric guidebook.

From Pathology to Normal Variation: A History of Theories

Throughout history, various theories have attempted to explain homosexuality. Some, like Richard Von Krafft-Ebing's, viewed it as a disease. On the other hand, Sigmund Freud saw it as a stage in development, a theory categorized as " immaturity." Thankfully, others like Karl Heinrich Ulrichs and Karl Maria Kertbeny recognized homosexuality as a natural variation within human sexuality.  (Drescher 2015)

 The Pendulum Swings: Homosexuality in the DSM

The mid-20th century saw a back-and-forth struggle within the DSM, and in 1952, homosexuality was labeled a sociopathic personality disturbance, followed by a reclassification as a sexual deviation in 1968 (Drescher 2015a).

The Fight for Liberation and the Power of Protest

A turning point came in the early 1970s. Galvanized by the Stonewall Riots and other LGBT+ activism, gay rights advocates disrupted the American Psychiatric Association (APA) meetings in 1970 and 1971. This powerful act of protest finally led to the removal of homosexuality as a diagnosis in 1973.

A Step Forward, But Not a Finish Line

• However, the fight wasn't quite over. While removed as a diagnosis, homosexuality was replaced with sexual orientation disturbance in 1973. This terminology still pathologized same-sex attraction, allowing insurance companies to endorse harmful conversion therapies designed to change someone's sexual orientation.
• Finally, in 1987, with the publication of the DSM-III-R, the term sexual orientation disturbance was removed entirely. Homosexuality was no longer considered a mental illness.

Pride Month: Celebrating Progress and Looking Forward

The story of homosexuality and the DSM is one of progress, fueled by activism and a growing understanding of human diversity. Pride Month is a time to celebrate this progress and remember the ongoing fight for full equality. We must continue to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and ensure mental health services are inclusive and affirming of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

References

Drescher, J. (2015a). Out of DSM: Depathologizing Homosexuality. Behavioral Sciences, 5(4), 565–575. https://doi-org.ezproxy.snhu.edu/10.3390/bs5040565