Application of the heuristic-systematic model to computer code trustworthiness: The influence of reputation and transparency

Abstract

Computer programs (code) are integral to the functions of current society. Yet, little is known about why programmers trust code they did not create. The current paper applied the heuristic-systematic model (HSM) of information processing to perceptions of code trust for reuse. The studies explored transparency (readability and organization) and reputation (source) as factors that influenced trust perceptions and time spent reviewing code using professional programmers. Source and readability manipulations led to higher trustworthiness assessments in the first study. Organization had nonlinear effects on trustworthiness. A three-way interaction including time was also found. The second online study largely replicated the first study’s main and interaction effects for trustworthiness, but the main effects on time were not significant. Our findings suggest the relationships of transparency on trustworthiness are not as straightforward as previously thought. Additionally, the findings of the current study expand the HSM to trust in code.

Keywords:

• believability & trust < MISC TOPICS
• software development < APPLICATION DOMAINS

Public Interest Statement

Computer code has become a ubiquitous aspect of modern society. Computer code controls everything from stoplights to medical devices. Trusting in poorly written or untrustworthy code can lead to vulnerabilities and inefficiencies. Understanding the psychological processes underlying trust in code can ensure that safe and secure code is used in vulnerable systems. The current paper explored the influence of source, readability, and organization on perceptions of code trustworthiness.

Competing Interests

The authors declare no competing interest.

Notes

1. All code is available in the supplemental material.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Gene M. Alarcon

The Psychology and Performance Laboratory (PPL) is a human factors laboratory in the Air Force Research Laboratory. The PPL’s area of research is in trust in automation and trust in code, which applies psychological principles to understanding how programmers write, perceive, and reuse computer code.