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Computer anxiety is anxiety generated around the use of computers , refering to “a state of heightened tension or a feeling of apprehensive expectation”.[1] Behavioral presentations of computer anxiety include: “(1) avoidance of computers and the general areas where computers are located; (2) excessive caution with computers; (3) negative remarks about computers; and (4) attempts to cut short the necessary use of computers”.[2] Computer anxiety is mainly assessed by self-report scales using Likert-type formats.

Age, gender, and computer experience are thought to be associated with computer anxiety. A meta-analysis based on studies published between 1990 and 1996 found that: (1) female university undergraduates are generally more anxious than male undergraduates, but the strength of this relationship is not conclusive; (2) instruments measuring computer anxiety are generally reliable, but not compatible with one another; and (3) computer anxiety is inversely related to computer experience, but the strength of this relationship remains inconclusive.[3] However, Bozionelos [4] found that the youngest sample with the presumably earliest exposure to computerization reported the highest computer anxiety scores and demonstrated the highest prevalence rates. Also, Wilfong [5] found that computer experience did not have the largest significant relationship with computer anxiety.

See also[]

References[]

  1. Howard, G.S. (1986). Computer anxiety and management use of microcomputers. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Research Press.
  2. Bozionelos, N. (2001). Computer anxiety: relationship with computer experience and prevalence. Computer in Human Behavior, 17, 213-224.
  3. Chua, S.L., Chen, D., & Wong, A. F. L. (1999). Computer anxiety and its correlates: a meta-analysis”. Computers in Human Behavior, 15, 609-623.
  4. Bozionelos, N. (2001). Computer anxiety: relationship with computer experience and prevalence. Computer in Human Behavior, 17, 213-224.
  5. Wilfong, J.D. (2006). Computer anxiety and anger: the impact of computer use, computer experience, and self-efficacy beliefs. Computers in Human Behavior, 22, 1001-1011.

Further reading[]

  • Arigbabu, A. A. (2006). Evidence of Computerphobia in Nigerian Education Majors: Psychological Reports Vol 98(2) Apr 2006, 433-436.
  • Barbeite, F. G., & Weiss, E. M. (2004). Computer self-efficacy and anxiety scales for an Internet sample: Testing measurement equivalence of existing measures and development of new scales: Computers in Human Behavior Vol 20(1) Jan 2004, 1-15.
  • Barcy, W. R. (2007). Computer self-efficacy and computer anxiety in a hospital social work and nursing case management department. Dissertation Abstracts International: Section B: The Sciences and Engineering.
  • Beaulaurier, R. L., & Taylor, S. H. (2005). Consulting Behaviors and the Role of Computer Consultants in Student Learning and Anxiety. Binghamton, NY: Haworth Social Work Practice Press.
  • Becker, M. R. (2001). Faculty development research: A comparison of two faculty development programs for reducing computer anxiety of in-service teachers. Dissertation Abstracts International Section A: Humanities and Social Sciences.
  • Beckers, J. J., Rikers, R. M. J. P., & Schmidt, H. G. (2006). The influence of computer anxiety on experienced computer users while performing complex computer tasks: Computers in Human Behavior Vol 22(3) May 2006, 456-466.
  • Beckers, J. J., & Schmidt, H. G. (2001). The structure of computer anxiety: A six-factor model: Computers in Human Behavior Vol 17(1) Jan 2001, 35-49.
  • Beckers, J. J., & Schmidt, H. G. (2003). Computer experience and computer anxiety: Computers in Human Behavior Vol 19(6) Nov 2003, 785-797.
  • Beckers, J. J., Wicherts, J. M., & Schmidt, H. G. (2007). Computer Anxiety: "Trait" or "State?" Computers in Human Behavior Vol 23(6) Nov 2007, 2851-2862.
  • Bozionelos, N. (2001). Computer anxiety: Relationship with computer experience and prevalence: Computers in Human Behavior Vol 17(2) Mar 2001, 213-224.
  • Bozionelos, N. (2004). Socio-economic background and computer use: The role of computer anxiety and computer experience in their relationship: International Journal of Human-Computer Studies Vol 61(5) Nov 2004, 725-746.
  • Broos, A. (2005). Gender and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Anxiety: Male Self-Assurance and Female Hesitation: CyberPsychology & Behavior Vol 8(1) Feb 2005, 21-31.
  • Brosnan, M. J., & Thorpe, S. J. (2006). An evaluation of two clinically-derived treatments for technophobia: Computers in Human Behavior Vol 22(6) Nov 2006, 1080-1095.
  • Browndyke, J. N., Albert, A. L., Malone, W., Schatz, P., Paul, R. H., Cohen, R. A., et al. (2002). Computer-related anxiety: Examining the impact of technology-specific affect on the performance of a computerized neuropsychological assessment measure: Applied Neuropsychology Vol 9(4) 2002, 210-218.
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