Mobile Sensing in Psychology: Methods and Applications

Big data from mobile sensing can improve psychological measurement and lead to customized psychological interventions by providing insights into people's behaviors, interactions, and environments. This handbook covers mobile sensing research methods, statistical analysis, and applications in various fields, emphasizing ethical considerations and methodological challenges.

Format: Hardback
Length: 802 pages
Publication date: 01 January 2024
Publisher: Guilford Publications

Mobile sensing is a rapidly evolving field that has the potential to revolutionize psychological measurement and lead to customized psychological interventions. By leveraging large-scale, real-time, and real-world data on people's behaviors, interactions, and environments, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of human behavior and mental processes. This information can then be used to develop more effective and personalized psychological treatments and interventions.

One of the key advantages of mobile sensing is its ability to collect data in real-time and in naturalistic settings. This allows researchers to capture a more comprehensive picture of people's lives and experiences, which can be invaluable in understanding complex behaviors and mental health issues. For example, mobile sensing can be used to track people's physical activity, location, and social interactions, providing insights into their daily routines, social networks, and emotional states.

Mobile sensing can also be used to develop personalized psychological interventions. By analyzing data on an individual's behavior and mental health, researchers can identify patterns and trends that may be contributing to their distress or mental health problems. This information can then be used to develop targeted interventions that address these issues. For example, mobile sensing can be used to develop personalized exercise programs for individuals with depression or anxiety, or to develop targeted interventions for individuals with addiction disorders.

In addition to its potential for personalized interventions, mobile sensing can also be used to develop more effective psychological treatments. By analyzing data on an individual's behavior and mental health, researchers can identify the most effective interventions for each individual. This can lead to more efficient and effective treatments, which can improve outcomes and reduce costs.

However, there are also challenges associated with mobile sensing. One of the biggest challenges is ensuring the privacy and confidentiality of the data collected. Mobile devices and sensors collect a vast amount of personal information, and it is important to ensure that this information is protected and used responsibly.

Another challenge is ensuring the validity and reliability of the data collected. Mobile sensing data can be influenced by a variety of factors, including device type, user behavior, and environmental conditions. It is important to develop methods for ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the data collected.

In conclusion, mobile sensing has the potential to revolutionize psychological measurement and lead to customized psychological interventions. By leveraging large-scale, real-time, and real-world data on people's behaviors, interactions, and environments, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of human behavior and mental processes. This information can then be used to develop more effective and personalized psychological treatments and interventions. However, there are also challenges associated with mobile sensing, including ensuring the privacy and confidentiality of the data collected and ensuring the validity and reliability of the data collected. By addressing these challenges, mobile sensing has the potential to improve the lives of many people.

Weight: 1540g
Dimension: 254 x 178 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781462553105