The Effects of Prior Computer Exposure On Man-Machine Computer Anxiety.

MF-$0.75 HC-$1.50 PLUS POSTAGE *Anxiety; College Students; *Computers; Computer Science Education; Educational Research; *Experience; Males Research investigated: 1) the relation between user anxiety and the utilization of computer facilities, 2) the effect of uhands computer experience on anxiety levels of operators, and 3) the effect of prior computer exposure on anxiety levels. Male volunteer college students in good health were assigned to three groups, depending on their having extensive, little, or no computer experience. All subjects completed a non-projective anxiety measure, received a lecture on computer utilization, and worked through a computer task. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, and electro-dermal response measured anxiety. Results indicated that regardless of previous exposure, subjects experienced anxiety, as reflected by physiological changes, during the initial part of the computer task, but that continued hands manipulation reduced anxiety below the pre-exposure level. Additional research should determine how to control extraneous anxiety-producing variables, investigate the effects of a variety of anxiety-reduction techniques, and examine th3 cause-effect relationship between anxiety and computer terminal operating efficiency. (PB)