The Importance of Psychology and Emotional Intelligence by Adrianna

The Importance of Psychology and Emotional Intelligence by Adrianna - August 2024 Scholarship Essay

Ever since the emergence of artificial intelligence programs such as ChatGPT, I have become very fascinated by AI. Though many have differing views on the subject, I am personally in favor of AI and believe that it has many benefits for the people and the future when implemented properly. One of the biggest disadvantages of AI though is its lack of understanding of human emotion and behavior. So, in order to fix this issue and improve the overall quality of AI and human interaction, my next big educational goal is to study human psychology and emotional intelligence (EI) in college.
Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize, understand, manage, and influence emotions. For artificial intelligence systems, incorporating EI is important for many reasons. First of all, it allows for more nuanced and emotional responses. When interacting with users, the ability to understand their feelings can make responses more personalized and supportive rather than generic and factual. For example, if a user feels frustrated or sad, an AI with the understanding of EI can give responses that are sensitive to the user’s emotions.
Additionally, emotional intelligence can help improve responses to more complex social interactions. People use AI for various reasons, including social and emotional purposes, so it is essential that these systems know how to approach these types of situations and not just respond with facts and information. By knowing EI, AI systems can better engage in conversations involving sensitive or sentimental topics, making it more useful in areas such as counseling, customer service, or educational support.
Human psychology studies the ways people think, feel, and behave. I specifically want to learn more about the cognitive processes and behavioral patterns of people, which will be useful towards improving the way AI understands user input and can help create algorithms that better predict user needs and preferences. This knowledge can also improve the way AI systems adapt to users of different ages, ensuring that interactions are age-appropriate and relevant.
But, how would this be helpful and effective in the real world, not just personal user interactions? There are numerous examples. In mental health support, AI systems with advanced EI can offer initial counseling or therapeutic interventions, providing users with resources to manage their emotional well-being. In education, AI can adapt teaching methods and feedback based on students' emotional responses, creating a more supportive learning environment. In customer service, emotionally intelligent AI can improve user satisfaction by responding to concerns with empathy and understanding which improves the overall service quality. Additionally, in personal development and coaching, AI can provide personalized feedback and guidance that aligns with users’ emotional and psychological needs, supporting their growth and self-improvement. Overall, there are various ways that the integration of EI and psychology with AI would be beneficial.
Studying human psychology and emotional intelligence is an important goal for me in my educational journey. Though there are many other fields I would love to explore and learn, this topic in particular has always piqued my interest. As I prepare to pursue this goal, I look forward to contributing to a future where AI can engage with users in more meaningful and supportive ways.