Individual differences & the propensity to trust in automation

In this current day and age, technology is constantly advancing. Today, automation is no longer just limited to mechanical machines, but also extends to a wide variety of technology - ranging from mobile applications to artificial intelligence. Further, technology continues to permeate the lives of many. Thus, it is important that the dynamics of trust process between users and automation is understood. However, there is limited research to examine the effects of individual differences on trust in automation. Therefore, to establish the associations of individual factors and trust in automation, this thesis adopted an exploratory approach to examine the effects of age, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, personality (Big Five), trust history and knowledge in automation on individuals’ trust towards automation. A sample of 151 participants from Singapore was recruited for the study. Results revealed that age, ethnicity, extraversion, trust history and knowledge in automation predicts an individual’s level of trust towards automation. These findings generated new insights and research directions for the field. At the same time, several practical implications of the study were also discussed. Future research can look to explore variables that influence the associations of user factors and trust in automation. Further, future research can also take into account systems and environmental factors when examining trust in automation.Bachelor of Social Sciences in Psycholog