Describes a study that defined and provided initial empirical support for differentiating the concepts of computer attitude, subjective computer experience, and objective computer experience. Discusses results of a principal component factor analysis and presents a conceptual analysis of the relation between subjective computer experience and…

A meta-analysis of studies of gender differences in computer attitudes and behavior found that males exhibited greater sex-role stereotyping of computers, higher computer self-efficacy, and more positive attitudes toward computers than females. Most differences in attitudes and behavior were small, with the largest found in high school students.…

A model of the intrapersonal processes impacting computer-related performance was tested using data from 75 manufacturing employees in a computer training course. Gender, computer experience, and attributional style were predictive of computer attitudes, which were in turn related to computer efficacy, task-specific performance expectations, and…

A revalidation of a previously developed computer anxiety scale indicated changes in the factor structure for younger and older adults. Two factors emerged--"Direct Involvement" and "Indirect Involvement" with computers--as compared with the previous "General Computer Anxiety" and "Equipment Anxiety" factors, suggesting that the construct of…

This study considers whether technophobia is a transitory phenomenon by assessing computer attitudes and cognition of 11- and 12-year-old children in an English secondary school via self-reporting questionnaires. Results showed a low prevalence of technophobia and that gender did not significantly influence attitudes or cognition towards…

Gender differences in attitudes toward computers are examined. Subjects were 136 male and 185 female introductory psychology students. The following were assessed: self confidence; anxiety; beliefs about the impact of computers on society; general positive and negative beliefs; and effects of prior experience. (Author/AEF)

Introduces a causal model which links measures of computer experience, computer-related attitudes, computer-related confidence, and perceived computer-based knowledge. The causal model suggests that computer use has a positive effect on perceived computer self-confidence, as well as on computer-related attitudes. Questionnaires were administered…

This study examined levels of techophobia, described as negative psychological reactions toward technology, in a sample of South African university students. Describes use of the NEO-Five Factor Inventory and reports results that show techophobia was inversely correlated with computer experience, weakly correlated with age, but not associated with…

Examines the degree to which computer and test anxiety have a predictive role in performance across three computer-administered placement tests. Subjects (72 undergraduate students) were measured with the Computer Anxiety Rating Scale, the Test Anxiety Inventory, and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Results suggest that much of what is considered…

Discussion of teacher attitudes toward computer-assisted instruction (CAI) highlights a study that examined the relationship between Eysenck's personality factors (i.e., extraversion, neuroticism, and psychoticism), religiosity, and attitudes toward CAI in a sample of 190 female teacher trainees at Bar-Ilan University (Israel). (36 references)…

This study examined 117 undergraduates' perceptions of ability at computer programming and word processing. In particular, it rated the importance of prior experience factors, keyboarding skills, and personal attributes such as enjoyment of problem solving. Those were discovered, in general, to be more important than formal training or aptitude in…

Describes a study that examined technophobia in elementary and secondary public school teachers as an explanation for low levels of computer utilization. Highlights include empirical studies of technophobia; technophobia interventions; demographic differences; computer availability and use; computer anxiety; computer attitudes; and predictive…

Describes a study that examined relationships between computer attitude, computer experience, gender, cognitive abilities, and the acquisition of word processing by older adults. Highlights include results from computer attitude questionnaires, spatial scanning, inductive and deductive reasoning as predictors of word processing knowledge, and the…