Psychophysiology of the passive user: Exploring the effect of technological conditions and personality traits

Jie XU, Enid MONTAGUE*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Journal PublicationsJournal Article (refereed)peer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This purpose of this study was to investigate physiological response patterns of passive users versus active users under varying technological conditions. The relationship between user personality traits and physiological responses was also explored. In work systems, different types of users interact with technologies in different ways. Active users may control technologies, while passive users may watch the active user and the technology. While they are both important stakeholders in the system, little empirical research has been conducted to understand the passive users to date. A mixed design experiment was conducted to investigate passive user psychophysiological state, while active and passive users operated a technology under varying technological states (normal, unreliable, and difficult). Physiological measures were collected from passive users while technologies were being operated, these included electrodermal and cardiovascular (heart rate and heart rate variability). Results show that individual active users and passive users have distinct physiological response patterns in heart rate and heart rate variability while using the technology. Exploratory analyses indicated that conscientiousness was positively related to individual active users' task performance; openness, agreeableness, and extraversion were associated with passive users' electrodermal and cardiovascular responses. In addition, social interaction is more influential for passive users' physiological responses, compared to task performing. The effects of active and passive user personality traits on technology interactions are illustrated through distinctive physiological responses. Relevance to industry: Findings from this study suggest that to improve passive user experience, systems that include both active and passive users should be designed to facilitate communication and information sharing between users. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)505-512
Number of pages8
JournalInternational Journal of Industrial Ergonomics
Volume42
Issue number5
Early online date5 Sept 2012
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Humans in technologically complex systems
  • Individual differences
  • Passive user
  • Physiological states
  • Team

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