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[The effects of impolite computer messages on workers]
1Department of Behavioral Science, Faculty of Letters, Hokkaido University, Sapporo.
Shinrigaku Kenkyu : the Japanese Journal of Psychology
|April 1, 1990
Summary
Computer messages impact user experience. Impolite messages, while perceived as unfriendly, reduced typing unpleasantness and surprisingly improved computer attitudes, though repeated exposure led to aggression.
Area of Science:
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Cognitive Psychology
- Social Computing
Context:
- Investigates user responses to computer-generated messages.
- Examines the psychological impact of politeness levels in human-computer interaction.
- Utilizes a typing task to elicit user reactions to system feedback.
Purpose:
- To determine how varying politeness in computer messages affects user task performance.
- To assess the influence of message politeness on user mental state and emotional response.
- To evaluate changes in user attitude towards computers based on interaction feedback.
Summary:
- Subjects receiving impolite computer messages reported increased aggression with repeated exposure but experienced less typing unpleasantness compared to a control group.
- Despite negative perceptions of message friendliness, users interacting with impolite messages demonstrated a more positive attitude shift towards computers.
- User responses to computer feedback, including task performance and emotional state, were modulated by the politeness of the system's messages.
Impact:
- Findings suggest that even negative interactions can paradoxically foster more positive user attitudes towards technology.
- Highlights the complex psychological effects of politeness in automated communication systems.
- Informs the design of more effective and user-centric computer interfaces and feedback mechanisms.