A multi-level analysis of the effects of age and gender stereotypes on trust in anthropomorphic technology by younger and older adults

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.

Abstract

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.

Keywords::

• automation
• trust
• aging
• stereotypes
• mobile
• health

Acknowledgements

We thank Meghan Goodwin and Kayla Brennan for their help in collecting data and Peg Tyler for her help in manuscript preparation.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by a grant from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research [award number FA9550-12-1-0385].

Notes on contributors

Richard Pak

Richard Pak is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Clemson University. He received his PhD in psychology in 2005 from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Anne Collins McLaughlin

Anne McLaughlin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at North Carolina State University. She received her PhD in psychology in 2007 from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Brock Bass

Brock Bass received his MS in Human Factors from Clemson University.