Can computer personalities help users work better?
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that humans respond to computer personalities and that they prefer computers with personalities similar to their own. However, it is not clear if this phenomenon makes a difference in how a person works. The purpose of this study was to determine whether users interacting with a computer similar to them, in terms of extroversion and introversion, work better and more successfully when given a task. Since previous work has shown that users prefer working with computers similar to themselves, it was reasonable to theorize that they work better with such computers. Therefore, the following hypotheses were formed considering introvert and extrovert personalities: Hypothesis 1: Introvert users will complete a task more correctly with the help of a computer that displays introvert characteristics than one that displays extrovert characteristics. Hypothesis 2: Extrovert users will complete a task more correctly with the help of a computer that displays extrovert characteristics than one that displays introvert characteristics. Conversely, since users do not prefer working with computers dissimilar to themselves, it was reasonable to conclude that they will not work as well with a computer that is opposite to them as with a computer similar to them. Therefore, the following hypotheses were formed: Hypothesis 3: Introvert users will complete a task less correctly if assisted by a computer that displays extrovert characteristics than one that displays introvert characteristics. Hypothesis 4: Extrovert users will complete a task less correctly if assisted by a computer that displays introvert characteristics than one that displays extrovert characteristics. To prove or disprove the above hypotheses, an experiment was conducted using methods similar to those of the previous studies. The experiment did not provide evidence that confirmed the hypotheses, but it did provide evidence and questions for future work.
Subject Area
Computer science
Recommended Citation
Sayles, Kenneth Wayne, "Can computer personalities help users work better?" (2004). ETD Collection for University of Texas, El Paso. AAIEP10603.
https://scholarworks.utep.edu/dissertations/AAIEP10603