Gender differences in computer-related attitudes: It depends on what you ask

Abstract

Reviews of research on gender differences in computer attitudes have concluded that the results of studies are contradictory or that any differences that exist are very small. This study tested the hypothesis that the size of gender differences found depends on the facet of computer-related attitudes assessed. A survey of college students' computer-related attitudes and behaviors resulted in four key findings. First, attitudes toward computers as assessed in this study can be described in terms of one affective factor — anxiety — and two cognitive factors — positive and negative beliefs concerning the social impact of computers. Second, there is a moderate gender difference for anxiety, a small gender difference for negative beliefs, and no gender difference for positive beliefs. Third, small to moderate gender differences exist on measures of computer-related behavior. Finally, although prior experience with computers does not mediate gender differences in anxiety, anxiety does appear to mediate gender differences in current computer-related behavior. Implications of these findings for reducing gender differences in computer-related behaviors are discussed.