Computer anxiety and mental models of first time adult computer users
| dc.contributor.author | Bain, Pamela | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2015-11-20T11:21:38Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2015-11-20T11:21:38Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 1998 | |
| dc.description | Thesis (M.A.(Psychology)) -- University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Arts, 1998. | en_ZA |
| dc.description.abstract | Computers are here to stay (Marcoulides, 1995), however there are still many people who are learning about computers for the first time. Since there is a distinct lack of understanding on whether computer attitudes will change subsequent to controlled exposure to computers, as well as little sound research on mental model change with respect to interaction with computers, an ex post facto, matched-pairs with control group field research design it was deemed necessary to ascertain changes in attitudes and mental models as a result of a 'basic skills in computing' course. Additionally various variables that would influence these variables were also considered, including prior knowledge/usage of computers, prior exposure to computer-like devices, and demographic variables. The research sample consisted of sixty two trainees prior to the course, thirty three subsequent to the course measures and eleven control group subjects tested over a similar time span. The Loyd and Gressard (1984) scale of computer attitudes was used, incorporating measures of computer anxiety, computer confidence, computer liking and overall attitudes towards computers. The subjects were also required to draw their mental model of what was 'under the lid of the computer box' and to fill out a demographics questionnaire. The results revealed that home language, occupation, prior knowledge/usage of computers and to some extent age influenced computer attitudes and furthermore, these no longer influenced attitudes subsequent to the course. A change in overall computer attitudes as well as confidence was also found. However, the control group did not differ significantly from that of the experimental 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 results were confirmed in that the control group remained the same. Additionally prior exposure to computers in terms of having either seen, used or owned computers related to mental models although knowledge/usage of computers did not. The implications that these results have in terms of the influence that training courses have on attitudes and mental models are presented. While every effort was made to ensure that a sound research design was used, several limitations of the research were discussed. Suggestions for improvement and areas for future studies are, as a result, delineated. | en_ZA |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/10539/18818 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | en_ZA |
| dc.subject | Computers -- Psychological aspects | |
| dc.subject | Human-computer interaction -- Psychological aspects | |
| dc.subject | Anxiety -- Psychological aspects | |
| dc.title | Computer anxiety and mental models of first time adult computer users | en_ZA |
| dc.type | Thesis | en_ZA |