A research model for studying the gender/power aspects of human-computer communication

Abstract

A new research model was developed for examining the gender and power conceptualizations affecting human-computer communications. University students worked on an Apple II computer on which the linguistic output was stereotyped male or female. Potency attributions of the computer were rated on a semantic differential scale. A test of the research model indicated significant differences in potency ratings. There was an interaction between gender-stereotyped linguistic output, user's sex, and user's computer experience ( F (1, 19)=5·10, P <·0343). The human-computer communication research model was demonstrated to be useful. It can be used for examining human-computer communication from both theoretical and applied perspectives.