[Attitude patterns of the elderly to technical innovation]

This article investigates how older adults react to new technology. The concepts of "social integration", "control", "learning new material", and "mediation" concepts are shown. One-hundred-sixty-four subjects from 58 to 88 years old judged 83 items dealing with computers. The statistical analysis (factor analysis) revealed a complex structure of perception and judgement. Three independent dimensions were found: 1) "danger", 2) "positive aspects", and 3) "motivation". Whereas the first two factors are of very general dimensions, "motivation" is specifically influenced by educational level in interaction with previous experience. The importance of computers for life-long learning is discussed. Possibilities for computer-based training are demonstrated.