ABSTRACT
Statistical meta-analysis of literature from 1969 to 1994… 39 studies using 100 measures, computer administration increased self-disclosure.
INTRODUCTION
Possibility that people would tell an impartial machine personal or embarrassing things about themselves, without fear of negative evaluation. (1963)… Social science researchers have explored computer administration as a means for reducing social desirability biases and obtaining more sensitive information from respondents than could be obtained using more traditional formats.
META-ANALYSIS
Researchers mixed conclusions about self-disclosure in computer forms – Hypothesis – Responses to a computer form as compared with its face-to-face or paper-and-pencil counterpart, would be more self-disclosing.
Derived plausible predictions based on two arguments. (1) computer interfaces lack social context cues, which in turn causes reduced evaluation anxiety, feelings of safety… and less concerned with looking good (2) that people lack experience with computers and therefore are not aware of the risks of self-disclosure of personal information to a computer.
TESTS OF SOCIAL CONTEXT CUE HYPOTHESES
An absence of social context clues can increase perceived privacy, or reduce evaluation anxiety or perceived risk. Hypothesized – Studies comparing computer forms with face-to-face interviews… will show a larger effect size than studies comparing computer forms with paper-and-pencil forms.
SENSITIVE INFORMATION
The presence or absence of social context clues will matter more when the information being elicited from respondents is sensitive. Hypothesized – Studies comparing computer forms with other formats will show a larger effect size when the measure elicits sensitive, personal, or otherwise risky information .
VULNERABLE POPULATIONS
Prisoners, patients, and others whose lives are heavily influenced by others’ decisions may feel particularly vulnerable to the consequences of self-disclosure, and therefore might be more sensitive to differences in administration. Hypothesized – Studies in which the subjects were medical or psychiatric patients would show larger sizes.
GENDER
Since females are reputed to be more sensitive to social context and tend to be more disclosing. Hypothesized – Studies comparing computer forms with other formats will show a larger size when the subjects are female.
PRESENCE OF OTHERS
The presence of other persons when one is completing a form provides social context clues to the nature of the test environment. Hypothesized – Studies comparing computer forms with other formats wold show a larger effect size when respondents in the computer condition were alone while they completed the form.
TESTS OF TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE HYPOTHESIS
People might not be aware of its risks. Lack of computer experience and knowledge might lead people to be careless about the information they give to a computer.
PRECOMPUTER STANDARDIZED TESTS
Standardized tests developed for traditional forms of communication. People are used to seeing them. Hypothesized – studies comparing computer administration with other forms of administration might show larger effect sizes in studies using standardized tests as compared with unstandardized formats.
STUDENTS
Since high school students and undergraduates are likely to be more familiar with computers than today’s adults, and more knowledgeable about computers than others. Hypothesized – studies comparing computer forms with other formats would show larger effect sizes in studies using subjects other than students.
YEARS
Hypothsized – effect sizes would decrease over the years, as people became more familiar with computers and what could be done with them.
DISCUSSION
RESEARCH ISSUES
Meta-analysis gives support to the main hypothesis… indirect analysis, however, did not support explanations related to public knowledge of computers.
ETHICAL ISSUES
People have a false illusion of privacy or otherwise let down their guard when they respond to a computer.
DESIGN ISSUES
Advances in computer interfaces have increased the variety, credibility and salience of information in forms.
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