Psychology and New Technology

Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)

• 3. Good health and well-being

Objectives

In recent years, the rapid emergence of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) has led to significant transformations in the way individuals interact, communicate, and live. The field of psychology has not been exempt from these changes, as ICTs have evolved into powerful tools for mental health professionals. The aim of this subject is to acquaint students with the utilization and potential of the latest emerging technologies in the field of mental health.

The specific objectives of the subject are as follows:

• Promote an understanding and interest in the latest emerging technologies and their potential in research and the development of applications in Clinical Psychology.
• Describe and analyze current technological applications aimed at the study, diagnosis, and treatment of psychological conditions.
• Learn to utilize accessible technological tools to facilitate competency-based learning and the design and development of technological projects in Clinical Psychology.
• Establish connections between the analysis and comprehension of current social and health issues and the development of technological solutions.
• Utilize scientific texts as theoretical resources and self-training tools.
• Acquire the necessary skills to engage in collaborative teamwork.

It is important to emphasize that students are not required to have any prior technical and/or technological knowledge.

Competencies

General skills

• Act with ethical commitment.
• Be able to adapt to new situations.
• Be able to think creatively and develop new ideas and concepts.
• Be competent in the use of information and communication technology in psychology.
• Display capacity for initiative and entrepreneurship.
• Have good leadership skills.
• Recognise and respect human diversity.

Specific skills

• Be able to analyse and interpret the results of evaluation.
• Be able to check and validate tools, processes and services.
• Be able to choose appropriate psychological strategies and techniques to achieve objectives.
• Be able to describe and measure factors (personality, cognitive competence, skills, attitudes, etc.) and cognitive, emotional, psycho-biological and behavioural processes.
• Be able to establish psychological goals in different situations, proposing and negotiating goals with subjects.
• Be able to identify differences, difficulties and needs.
• Be able to obtain relevant data for evaluating interventions.
• Be able to plan and conduct an interview.
• Be able to plan and evaluate programmes and interventions.
• Be able to provide appropriate and accurate feedback to subjects.
• Be able to select and manage instruments, processes and services, and identify individuals and groups concerned.
• Be able to use direct intervention strategies and methods with subjects: psychological counselling, therapy, negotiation, mediation, etc.
• Carry out analysis of needs and demands of subjects in different contexts.
• Know how to define objectives and develop an intervention plan based on objectives (prevention, treatment, counselling, integration, support, etc.).
• Know how to devise and adapt instruments, processes and services, in line with needs and theory.
• Know how to produce oral and written reports.
• Know how to select and build indicators and evaluation techniques for programmes and interventions.
• Know how to use indirect intervention strategies and methods with subjects: advice, training of trainers, etc.
• Make diagnoses in line with professional criteria and the context of intervention.
• Understand and comply with professional ethics in psychology.

Core skills

• Display professional skills in complex multidisciplinary contexts, working in networked teams, whether face-to-face or online, through use of information and communication technology.

Evaluation

For the final evaluation of the course, both participation and attendance in face-to-face classes, as well as the proper completion of assigned tasks, will be considered. To pass the subject, the student must attend a minimum of 80% of the classes.

Summative assessment

At the conclusion of the course, an individual theoretical-practical exam will be conducted. This assessment constitutes 50% of the final grade for the subject. Only if the student does not pass the exam, will they have the opportunity to take the recovery exam.

Formative assessment

It is mandatory for the student to complete each of the proposed activities within the deadline set by the teacher. Throughout the semester, two group activities will be conducted, accounting for 50% of the final grade for the subject. These activities encompass both theoretical and practical aspects, requiring the student to reflect on and apply the knowledge acquired during face-to-face classes. It's important to note that these activities will not be eligible for recovery.

Methodology

The subject will be taught through the following methods:

• Class sessions: In these face-to-face sessions, the theoretical and practical aspects of the subject will be covered. Students will receive guidance on acquiring the necessary skills to use various technological tools and integrate them into clinical contexts.
• Tutoring sessions: Individual and/or group tutoring sessions will be conducted to monitor each student's progress and provide support as needed.
• Work plan: At the beginning of each thematic block, students will receive a detailed work plan that outlines the required readings and assessment activities.

Bibliography

Key references

• APA (2013). Guidelines for the Practice of Telepsychology. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/features/amp-a0035001.pdf
• Colombo, D., Fernández-Álvarez, J., García-Palacios, A., Cipresso, P., Botella, C. & Riva, G. (2019). New Technologies for the Understanding, Assessment, and Intervention of Emotion Regulation. Frontiers in Psychology, 10: 1261. Retrieved from https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01261/full
• Colombo, D., Fernández-Álvarez, J., Patané, A., Semonella, M., Kwiatkowska, M., Garcia-Palacios, A., Cipresso, P., Riva, G. & Botella, C (2019). Current State and Future Directions of Technology-Based Ecological Momentary Assessment and Intervention for Major Depressive Disorder: A Systematic Review. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 8, 465. Retrieved from https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/8/4/465
• de la Torre Martí, M. & Pardo Cebrián, R. (2018). Guía para la Intervención Telepsicológica. Retrieved from https://www.copmadrid.org/web/img_db/publicaciones/guia-para-la-intervencion-telepsicologica-5c1b5a8602018.pdf
• Wiederhold, B.K. & Bouchard, S. (2014). Advances in Virtual Reality and Anxiety Disorders. Retrieved from https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9781489980229

Further reading

Teachers will provide complementary bibliography and compulsory reading throughout the course via the Virtual Campus.