Using Noninvasive Brain Measurement to Explore the Psychological Effects of Computer Malfunctions on Users during Human-Computer Interactions

In today’s technologically driven world, there is a need to better understand the ways that common computer malfunctions affect computer users. These malfunctions may have measurable influences on computer user’s cognitive, emotional, and behavioral responses. An experiment was conducted where participants conducted a series of web search tasks while wearing functional nearinfrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and galvanic skin response sensors. Two computer malfunctions were introduced during the sessions which had the potential to influence correlates of user trust and suspicion. Surveys were given after each session to measure user’s perceived emotional state, cognitive load, and perceived trust. Results suggest that fNIRS can be used to measure the different cognitive and emotional responses associated with computer malfunctions. These cognitive and emotional changes were correlated with users’ self-report levels of suspicion and trust, and they in turn suggest future work that further explores the capability of fNIRS for the measurement of user experience during human-computer interactions

The Construct of State-Level Suspicion: A Model and Research Agenda for Automated and Information Technology (IT) Contexts

Objective: The objective was to review and integrate available research about the construct of state-level suspicion as it appears in social science literatures and apply the resulting findings to information technology (IT) contexts. Background: Although the human factors literature is replete with articles about trust (and distrust) in automation, there is little on the related, but distinct, construct of “suspicion” (in either automated or IT contexts). The construct of suspicion—its precise definition, theoretical correlates, and role in such applications—deserves further study. Method: Literatures that consider suspicion are reviewed and integrated. Literatures include communication, psychology, human factors, management, marketing, information technology, and brain/neurology. We first develop a generic model of state-level suspicion. Research propositions are then derived within IT contexts. Results: Fundamental components of suspicion include (a) uncertainty, (b) increased cognitive processing (e.g., generation of alternative explanations for perceived discrepancies), and (c) perceptions of (mal)intent. State suspicion is defined as the simultaneous occurrence of these three components. Our analysis also suggests that trust inhibits suspicion, whereas distrust can be a catalyst of state-level suspicion. Based on a three-stage model of state-level suspicion, associated research propositions and questions are developed. These propositions and questions are intended to help guide future work on the measurement of suspicion (self-report and neurological), as well as the role of the construct of suspicion in models of decision making and detection of deception. Conclusion: The study of suspicion, including its correlates, antecedents, and consequences, is important. We hope that the social sciences will benefit from our integrated definition and model of state suspicion. The research propositions regarding suspicion in IT contexts should motivate substantial research in human factors and related fields

The Construct of Suspicion and How It Can Benefit Theories and Models in Organizational Science

This article introduces the construct of suspicion to researchers in business and applied psychology, provides a literature-based definition of state suspicion and an initial self-report measure of that construct, and encourages research on this important topic. The construct of suspicion is under-researched in business and applied psychology, yet has wide application for both researchers and practitioners. These applications occur across many content domains (e.g., consumer psychology, leadership), as well as at varying levels of analysis (e.g., individual, group, organizational). To motivate research on this construct, possible studies are delineated/suggested by way of example and a Call for Papers also appears. The organizational sciences will benefit from the incorporation of suspicion-based constructs in theoretical and explanatory models. Organizations might also function more efficiently because of these efforts —as decision makers assess, understand, and better manage appropriate levels of suspicion in their employees and work groups

Using functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy in HCI: Toward evaluation methods and adaptive interfaces

Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a new brain imaging tool that shows potential for use in the field of human computer interaction (HCI) because of its lightweight, non-invasive qualities. fNIRS could become an additional input to interfaces, by recording the user‟s mental state through the measure of blood flow in the brain. However, before we are able to use the tool at its full potential, we must test its feasibility in HCI, and develop methods to accurately analyze the output. This paper will introduce fNIRS, and briefly discuss a feasibility study conducted to explore the measurement of different levels of workload. Finally, we will present future research directions that follow from this work, such as evaluating new interaction styles according to the measured mental workload, adaptive interfaces with fNIRS, and combining fNIRS with EEG. Author Keywords brain computer interfaces (BCI), workload, fNIRS