On November 5th, Professor Jianhui Wu, in collaboration with Professor Muwei Shen from Zhejiang University, published an article titled "The Applied Value of Modern Psychology" in the theoretical weekly section of Shenzhen Special Zone Daily. The article elaborates on the role of modern psychology in serving the field of big health, the information technology industry, and social governance. It highlights the vase potential and value of psychology in interdisciplinary integration with various domains. The full text is as follows:
Psychology not only provides us with scientific tools for a deeper understanding of human behavior and mental processes but also demonstrates immense potential and practical value. As psychology continue to integrate with diverse fields, it is poised to provide even greater insights and contributions to our healthy living, intelligent technology, and societal harmony. Since its establishment as a scientific discipline in 1879, psychology has undergone 145 years of development. In some developed countries, it has become one of the most popular fields of study. Many people in China still perceive psychology at the traditional level of "treatment" and "mind reading". In reality, the application of psychology extend far beyond these traditional perceptions, permeating all aspects of social life, and reshaping the world in profound and unique ways.
Psychology in Big Health: From Psychological Disorders to Comprehensive Well-Being
Modern psychology has become a vital force in promoting comprehensive well-being. In the field of big health, the role of psychology extends beyond treating cognitive and emotional disorders. It now encompass a range of health management activities, including prevention, assessment, and intervention. For cognitive disorders, psychologists use tools such as cognitive training, memory enhancement, and neural modulation to slow the progression of conditions like Alzheimer's disease, improving patients' quality of life. Psychological research also identify early markers for cognitive disorders, enabling professionals to implement early intervention measures that enhance prognosis. In addressing emotional disorders, psychologists employ cognitive-behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, and biofeedback to help patients manage conditions such as depression and anxiety. Psychological research has also uncovered strong links between emotional disorders and physical health, demonstrating how psychological interventions not only alleviate patients' emotional states but also improve overall mental and physical well-being. Beyond treating disorders, psychology makes significant contributions to maintaining and enhancing the mental health of both sub-healthy and healthy populations. For instance, psychological assessments help identify students' cognitive styles, emotional states, and strengths and weaknesses, enabling tailored teaching strategies; It aids enterprises in building competency models for specific positions, developing corresponding assessment tools and selecting suitable talents to ensure optimal person-job fit; In competitive sports, psychology monitors athletes' mental states, identifies psychological vulnerabilities, and provides targeted interventions to cultivate resilience and peak performance. Psychological education and training enhance individuals’ ability to cope with life challenges, strengthening psychological resilience, and preventing the occurrence of psychological problems.
With the development of technology, the combination of psychology and modern technology brings new opportunities. The development of wearable devices, big data, and artificial intelligence technology makes mental health monitoring and intervention more convenient and efficient. For instance, through wearable devices, individuals can monitor their physical and mental states in real-time, detect anomalies promptly, and take measures. Big data analysis can help researchers identify risk factors and protective factors for mental health, providing a basis for personalized interventions. The development of artificial intelligence technology has led to the development of intelligent psychological counseling, virtual reality, and other online tools for mental health.
Psychology in the Information Technology Industry: The Fusion of Technology and Humanity
The intersection of psychology and the IT industry is redefining our technological and life experiences. In the IT industry, user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design are among the most direct application areas. By studying users' cognitive patterns, behavioral habits, and emotional responses, psychology help identify user needs, preferences, and pain points. This understanding supports the creation of more intuitive, user-friendly, and efficient interaction interfaces. Artificial intelligence (AI) is another core area where psychology plays a pivotal role. On one hand, psychological research into human intelligence provides a theoretical foundation for AI algorithms and development, enabling these systems to solve complex problems more efficiently. On the other hand, psychology enhances the human-AI interaction experience. For example, by analyzing facial expressions, voice characteristics, and physiological signals, AI systems can recognize, interpret, and respond to human emotions, delivering more personalized and human-centered services while significantly improving user experience. Psychology also has a broad applications in game design and virtual reality (VR), contributing to areas such as entertainment, therapeutic interventions (e.g., stress exposure and coping), skill training, and simulated-based learning (e.g., emergency drills). Psychological research helps developers understand players’ motives and preferences, leading to the creation of more engaging storylines and characters. By utilizing reward systems and feedback loops, game designers maintain player engagement while addressing concerns about overindulgence through research on addiction mechanisms. Brain-computer interfaces (BCI), a cutting-edge technological field, also heavily rely on psychology. BCIs aim to establish direct communication between the human brain and computers. Psychology research supports this development by enhancing understanding of brain functions through technologies such as electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging. Psychologists can reveal the working mechanisms of the brain, providing a scientific basis for the development of brain-computer interfaces. With the rapid development of IT technology, ethical issues have also become increasingly prominent. Psychology plays an important role in assessing the impact of technology on human behavior and society. For example, psychologists can study the impact of social media on users' mental health and propose corresponding intervention measures; in the application of artificial intelligence and automation technology, psychological research helps ensure that these technologies do not discriminate against or negatively impact certain groups.
Psychology in Social Governance: Promoting Social Harmony and Stability
As a science, psychology plays an indispensable role in social governance. Social governance involves a series of complex issues, from policymaking to crisis response, and psychology provides unique perspectives and solutions to enhance management effectiveness and the quality of public services. Psychology plays a significant supportive role in the policy-making process. The effectiveness of policies depends on a deep understanding of human behavior and social dynamics. Psychological research reveals patterns of individual and group behavior and the motivations driving these behaviours. These research findings can help policymakers design policies that align with real-world needs and social psychology principles. For example, understanding how different groups perceive and respond to specific policies, allows policymakers to anticipate public reactions and uses psychological nudges to improve policy acceptance and emplementation. In crisis response and management, psychology also plays a crucial role. Emergent events such as natural disasters and public health events often cause significant psychological impacts on society, even leading to panic and chaos. Psychology provides theories and methods for emergency psychological intervention, which can help stabilize social emotions, reduce panic and unease, and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of emergency responses. Crime prevention and correction are also an important aspect of psychology in social governance. Psychological research reveals the psychological mechanisms of criminal behavior, providing a scientific basis for crime prevention and correction. In terms of crime prevention, psychology can help design effective intervention measures to reduce the likelihood of crime. For example, through community mental health services, enhancing residents' psychological resilience and social support can reduce the incidence of crime. In criminal correction, psychology provides personalized cognitive and behavioral correction methods to help criminals reshape behavioral patterns and promote their smooth reintegration into society.
Psychology not only equips us with scientific tools for understanding human behavior and mental processes but also demonstrates immense potential and value in practical applications. As psychology continues to integrate with diverse fields, it is poised to offer further insights and contributions to our healthier lives, intelligent technology, and a harmonious society.
