Computer anxiety and mental models of first time adult computer users

["Computers -- Psychological aspects", "Human-computer interaction -- Psychological aspects", "Anxiety -- Psychological aspects"]

Bain, Pamela

University of the Witwatersrand

Others  :  http://wiredspace.wits.ac.za/bitstream/10539/18818/1/Bain%20Pamela%2c%201998..pdf

瑞士|英语

来源: University of the Witwatersrand

【 摘 要 】

Computers are here to stay (Marcoulides, 1995), however there are still manypeople who are learning about computers for the first time. Since there is adistinct lack of understanding on whether computer attitudes will changesubsequent to controlled exposure to computers, as well as little soundresearch on mental model change with respect to interaction with computers,an ex post facto, matched-pairs with control group field research design it wasdeemed necessary to ascertain changes in attitudes and mental models as aresult of a 'basic skills in computing' course. Additionally various variables thatwould influence these variables were also considered, including priorknowledge/usage of computers, prior exposure to computer-like devices, anddemographic variables.The research sample consisted of sixty two trainees prior to the course, thirtythree subsequent to the course measures and eleven control group subjectstested over a similar time span. The Loyd and Gressard (1984) scale ofcomputer attitudes was used, incorporating measures of computer anxiety,computer confidence, computer liking and overall attitudes towardscomputers. The subjects were also required to draw their mental model ofwhat was 'under the lid of the computer box' and to fill out a demographicsquestionnaire.The results revealed that home language, occupation, prior knowledge/usageof computers and to some extent age influenced computer attitudes andfurthermore, these no longer influenced attitudes subsequent to the course. Achange in overall computer attitudes as well as confidence was also found.However, the control group did not differ significantly from that of theexperimental group in terms of attitudes in order to confirm this effect.Demographic variables did not effect mental model conceptualisations,however they did vary as a result of the computer course and these resultswere confirmed in that the control group remained the same. Additionally priorexposure to computers in terms of having either seen, used or ownedcomputers related to mental models although knowledge/usage of computersdid not.The implications that these results have in terms of the influence that trainingcourses have on attitudes and mental models are presented. While everyeffort was made to ensure that a sound research design was used, severallimitations of the research were discussed. Suggestions for improvement andareas for future studies are, as a result, delineated.