Older Adults' Acquisition Of Word Processing: The Contribution Of Cognitive Abilities And Computer Anxiety

    Authors

    J. L. Dyck;J. A. Smither

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Comput. Hum. Behav.

    Keywords

    INDIVIDUAL-DIFFERENCES; AGE; SYSTEM; SKILLS; Psychology, Multidisciplinary; Psychology, Experimental

    Abstract

    This study examined relationships between computer attitude, computer experience, gender, cognitive abilities, and the acquisition of word processing by older adults. A total of 28 older adults (M(age) = 68.70 years) completed computer attitude questionnaires before and after a 6-week word-processing course and, additionally, completed spatial scanning, deductive, and inductive reasoning tests during the course. Gender differences were observed for attitudes towards computers, with females having a less positive attitude than males. Greater computer experience was associated with a move positive attitude, and with learning more word-processing knowledge during the course, replicating previous findings with young adults. No overall change in attitudes was found across the course, with the exception of computer liking; subjects tended to like computers less after the course, suggesting that the type of computer exposure may be an important factor in determining attitudes. Spatial scanning was found to be important in rapidly locating control keys for editing. Inductive and deductive reasoning were important predictors of word-processing knowledge, accounting for 60% of the variance. Identification of individual difference factors ir a first step towards suggesting design changes in word-processing programs for older adults.

    Journal Title

    Computers in Human Behavior

    Volume

    12

    Issue/Number

    1

    Publication Date

    1-1-1996

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    107

    Last Page

    119

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:A1996TR03400008

    ISSN

    0747-5632

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