THE EFFECTS OF COMPUTER EXPERIENCE ON COGNITIVE AND BEHAVIORAL RESPONSES TO THE OPPORTUNITY TO USE AN OFFICE COMPUTER: A FIELD EXPERIMENT

Computer experience was manipulated through training experimental participants on the basic functions of computers. Experience was also measured as participants\u27 level of prior experience using computers. Experience was then observed for its influence on secretaries\u27 and clerks\u27 beliefs and behavior vis-a-vis office computer use. Eight beliefs about the consequences of using office computers were tested for their influence on individuals\u27 attitudes about computer use. Use behaviors were operationalized as (1) whether or not individuals registered to use an office computer terminal, (2) whether they kept an appointment to learn to use an office computer, and (3) how much time they spent with the terminal. In addition, projected anxiety prior to using an office computer was measured for its association with belief strengths and use behavior. The results indicate that the Fishbein model was consistent with data collected. The belief that work on a job requiring office computer use would be satisfying and the belief that job performance would improve if an office computer were used yielded the most accurate prediction of use attitude out of the eight beliefs investigated. Attitude accurately predicted intention to use an office computer, but intention was only a moderately effective predictor of two out of three use behaviors. Contrary to the hypothesis, prior experience with computers and attending a basic computer course had no significant effect on two of the three use behaviors and no effects on beliefs. The manipulation did impact the length of time individuals spent with a computer. Anxiety was found to correlate positively with the belief that computer use would lead to an inability to perform. Negative correlations were observed with attitude about computer use and registering to use an office computer