Lit Reviews and Interview Questions-Brian Gaines

Literature Review

Gao, X. -P., Xin, J. H., Sato, T., Hansuebsai, A., Scalzo, M., Kajiwara, K., Guan, S. -S., Valldeperas, J., Lis, M. J. and Billger, M. (2007), Analysis of cross-cultural color emotion.

This study evaluated the relationship between color emotion and perception attribute across various European and Asian cultures. The study focused on participants from four Asian regions (Kyoto, Japan; Bangkok, Thailand; Hong Kong, and Taiwan) as well as three European regions (Italy, Spain, and Sweden).

ASSUMPTION

This article assumes that color perception and emotional response to color is affected by cultural attributes.

ARGUMENT

Previous studies by Osgood and Sivik conducted between various Native American tribes and between Greeks and Swedes, respectively, indicate that a causal relationship may exist between color perception and emotional connotation and various cultures’ interpretation of color.

DATA ANALYZED

 Participants from the seven regions, 50% male, 50% female, were shown 214 color samples and given 12 emotional word pairs with which to describe the samples. A questionnaire was given for participants to assign a more appropriate emotional word to the colors presented.

CONCLUSIONS

No variance among emotional qualities assigned to various colors was detected, although an 80% variance was indicated among participants describing color as “warm/cool”.

This study provides insight into utilizing color for the design challenge. However, a broader group of participants should have been utilized to provide a better generalization. The study seemed to focus almost exclusively on Asian cultures and excluded many European cultures, as well as cultures from the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent as well as inhabitants from the Southern Pacific region

Personally, this paper provided a decent beginning to thinking about how to design our project in regards to culture and. The increase of international graduate students makes this aspect of the design a vitally important one.

Michelle G. Newman, Lauren E. Szkodny, Sandra J. Llera, Amy Przeworski, A review of technology-assisted self-help and minimal contact therapies for anxiety and depression: Is human contact necessary for therapeutic efficacy?, Clinical Psychology Review, Volume 31, Issue 1, February 2011, Pages 89-103, ISSN 0272-7358, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2010.09.008. (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272735810001662)

This study reviews different technological applications for treating a variety of anxiety and mood disorders.

ASSUMPTIONS

This article assumes that, because traditional therapy and treatment of anxiety and mood disorders is expensive and time consuming, an approach utilizing technology could provide more time and cost effective alternatives.

ARGUMENT

Newman, et al., argue that technological approaches to treatment of certain anxiety and mood disorders can be effective, there may exist a low level of human compliance when it comes to using such technologies.

DATA ANALYZED

Data was reviewed from a wide variety of both qualitative and quantitative studies associated with myriad examples of mood and anxiety disorders that implemented technological applications as a component of treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Newman, et al., concluded that technology could be presented as a treatment alternative in the name of efficacy and cost effectiveness, although they maintain that traditional treatment is still optimal. The authors also suggest that further studies be performed to account for such factors as culture, socioeconomics, and age. The authors also note that use of mobile devices in such treatment needs to be further explored in future studies.

This article was helpful in that it provides a basis for the importance of technology in assisting those who have been diagnosed with certain mood and anxiety disorders. This can provide a valuable reference that can influence the design of our project.

While it cannot account for every disorder in the DSM-IV, it may provide a framework for the types of issues that many graduate students may experience. This will greatly inform our design and future iterations.

Anderson, P., Jacobs, C. and Rothbaum, B. O. (2004), Computer-supported cognitive behavioral treatment of anxiety disorders. J. Clin. Psychol., 60: 253–267. doi: 10.1002/jclp.10262

This article reviews various technological applications for the treatment of anxiety disorders, including tablets and virtual reality, as well as provides a discussion for the ethical issues surrounding such treatments.

ASSUMPTIONS

Anderson, et al., assume that technology can and will play a vital role in the cognitive behavioral treatment of anxiety disorders.  A review of palmtop computers (tablets and other mobile devices) and virtual reality, as well as evidence from case studies is reviewed.

ARGUMENTS

Anderson, et al., argue that because technology can be used that it necessarily shouldn’t.  The authors state that the revised Psychology Code of Ethics (American Psychological Association, 2002) provides little specific guidance as to how to

conceptualize ethical concerns specific to technology (Anderson, et al.). Further discussions, such as the concepts of cyber sickness and after effects in virtual reality could possibly overshadow the perceived benefits of the treatment. Further arguments for the competence of those providing therapy through technology, a compromise of client-patient relationships, access to technology, reliance upon technology by the patient, and barriers to technology are all presented as ethical dilemmas to the use of technology in the treatment of anxiety disorders.

DATA ANALYZED

Reviews of various technologies, including web sites, were performed to assess their efficacy, benefit, effectiveness, and drawbacks. This information informed the ethical discussion following the review.

CONCLUSIONS

Anderson, et al., conclude that it is important to consider the role of technology in the treatment of various anxiety disorders, yet advise that mental healthcare practitioners carefully assess the patient’s needs before prescribing such treatment. Also, consumers should be aware that such treatments cannot nor should not be regarded as a “miracle cure”.

Anderson, et al., make a valid claim for the role of technology, as well as its limitations in regards to our project.  While we are most certainly not attempting to develop technology to diagnose, treat, or cure any such disorder, assessments such as these will provide a valuable insight to the complexities of how to better serve our audience through technology.