Correlates of sex differences in attitudes toward and involvement with computers

This study investigated sex differences in computer attitude and aptitude and the relationship of these variables, math aptitude, math anxiety, and scholastic achievement to computer involvement. The sample consisted of 599 female and 342 male students from a freshman introductory psychology class at a midwestern state university. Females held more negative attitudes toward computers, scored lower in computer aptitude, and had less prerequisite math ability and math course work. More males than females had completed computer-related courses and had knowledge of a computer language. Computer aptitude was strongly related to math ability and math experience. Computer attitude was related to math anxiety and computer experience. Sex and computer attitude consistently discriminated between groups differing in computer involvement. The results are discussed in terms of the need for further research to identify the components of computer aptitude, attitude, and behaviors and of the broader issue of equity for women in the computer age.