Tag: research

Title: The Effects of Age and Working Memory Demands on Automation-Induced Complacency
Committee: Dr. Richard Pak (Chair), Dr. Kelly Caine, and Dr. Patrick Rosopa
When: Tuesday, March 22, 2016 at 10:30am
Where: Brackett Hall, Room 419

Abstract: Complacency refers to a type of automation use expressed as insufficient monitoring and verification of automated functions. Previous studies have attempted to identify the age-related factors that influence complacency during interaction with automation. However, little is known about the role of age-related differences in working memory capacity and its connection to complacent behaviors. The current study examined whether working memory demand of an automated task and age-related differences in cognitive ability influence complacency. Working memory demand was manipulated in the task with two degrees of automation (i.e., information and decision). A younger and older age group was included to observe the effects of differences in working memory capacity on performance in a targeting task using an automated aid. The results of the study show that younger and older adults did not significantly differ in complacent behavior for information or decision automation. Also, individual differences in working memory capacity did not predict complacency in the automated task. However, these findings do not disprove the role of working memory in automation-induced complacency. Both age groups were more complacent with automation that had less working memory demand. Our findings suggest systems that utilize both higher and lower degrees of automation could limit over-dependence. These results provide implications for the design of automated interfaces.

Clemson University has launched a new video series that puts experts on your screen when and where you want them. “On the Table,” a public policy series from ClemsonTV, tackles tough subjects such as concussions in sports, the role of technology in our lives and health screening disparities, providing in-depth discussion from leading researchers and scholars who are members of the Clemson faculty.

In this episode, “To Trust or Not To Trust,” features Richard Pak, an associate professor in Psychology, and his research on the relationship between humans and the technology that makes hundreds of hidden decisions in our lives every day. The outcomes can be beneficial, such as self-driving cars that improve highway safety and driving efficiency. Sometimes, however, they can be detrimental. Are we trusting technology enough, or too much?

Our research was recently presented on the radio program “Academic Minute” a production of WAMC Public Radio and Mount Holyoke College.

http://academicminute.org/2015/10/richard-pak-clemson-technological-trust/

Congratulations to Jessica for receiving the 2015 Hoechst Celanese Graduate Student Research Award from the Department of Psychology!

The Hoechst Celanese Graduate Student Research Award honors a first- or second-year graduate student who has demonstrated exceptional productivity in the area of psychological research. A significant cash prize is awarded to the winner and is contributed by the Hoechst Celanese Corp.

Our recent paper on anthropomorphic technology and stereotypes has just been published.

Pak, R., McLaughlin. A. C., & Bass, B. (In press). A Multi-level Analysis of the Effects of Age and Gender Stereotypes on Trust in Anthropomorphic Technology by Younger and Older Adults. Ergonomics

Abstract: Previous research has shown that gender stereotypes, elicited by the appearance of the anthropomorphic technology, can alter perceptions of system reliability. The current study examined whether stereotypes about the perceived age and gender of anthropomorphic technology interacted with reliability to affect trust in such technology. Participants included a cross-section of younger and older adults. Through a factorial survey, participants responded to health-related vignettes containing anthropomorphic technology with a specific age, gender, and level of past reliability by rating their trust in the system. Trust in the technology was affected by the age and gender of the user as well as its appearance and reliability. Perceptions of anthropomorphic technology can be affected by pre-existing stereotypes about the capability of a specific age or gender.

Practitioner Summary: The perceived age and gender of automation can alter perceptions of the anthropomorphic technology such as trust. Thus, designers of automation should design anthropomorphic interfaces with an awareness that the perceived age and gender will interact with the user’s age and gender.

<p>American Medical News, the newsletter of the American Medical Association recently wrote a great story describing our recent paper on anthropomorphic automation:</p>
<p><a href=”http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/08/06/bisd0807.htm”>Humanlike features in automated decision tools build trust</a></p>

Our latest research on automation and aging has just been published and is available for download.

Pak, R., Fink, N., Price, M., Bass, B., & Sturre, L. (2012). Decision support aids with anthropomorphic characteristics influence trust and performance in younger and older adults. Ergonomics.

Abstract: This study examined the use of deliberately anthropomorphic automation on younger and older adults’ trust, dependence and performance on a diabetes decision-making task. Research with anthropomorphic interface agents has shown mixed effects in judgments of preferences but has rarely examined effects on performance. Meanwhile, research in automation has shown some forms of anthropomorphism (e.g. etiquette) have effects on trust and dependence on automation. Participants answered diabetes questions with no-aid, a non-anthropomorphic aid or an anthropomorphised aid. Trust and dependence in the aid was measured. A minimally anthropomorphic aide primarily affected younger adults’ trust in the aid. Dependence, however, for both age groups was influenced by the anthropomorphic aid. Automation that deliberately embodies person-like characteristics can influence trust and dependence on reasonably reliable automation. However, further research is necessary to better understand the specific aspects of the aid that affect different age groups. Automation that embodies human-like characteristics may be useful in situations where there is under-utilisation of reasonably reliable aids by enhancing trust and dependence in that aid.

Practitioner Summary: The design of decision-support aids on consumer devices (e.g. smartphones) may influence the level of trust that users place in that system and their amount of use. This study is the first step in articulating how the design of aids may influence user’s trust and use of such systems

Richard Pak has received his second Google Research Award in the amount of $50,000.  The unrestricted gift will support his research on Personal Health Records and Older adults.