Cognitive Styles when Using Technology (SESMag)
Overview
What cognitive styles do we use to interact with technology? The SESMag Project has identified six cognitive facets we bring to our use of technology.
Overview
The SESMag Project has identified six research-based cognitive facets people bring to their use of technology:
- Access to Reliable Technology,
- Communication Literacy, Education, and Culture
- Attitude Toward Technology Risk
- Technology Privacy and Security, and
- Technology Self-Efficacy
Keep reading to learn more about each facet and the SESMag personas that embody different sets of facet values (also called cognitive styles).
GenderMag Personas
The SESMag Project has defined three SESMag personas: Dav, Ash, and Fee. Each persona represents a different set of cognitive styles. Dav and Fee represent the two ends of the cognitive style spectra and Ash is in the middle.
Davu/Davida (“Dav”) | Asha/Ashwin (“Ash”) | Felienne/Felix (“Fee”) | |
Access to Reliable Technology | Spotty access | High access | High access |
Communication Literacy/Education/Culture | Lower (relative to peers) | Medium | Higher (relative to peers) |
Attitudes toward Technology Risks | Risk-averse | Risk-averse | Risk-tolerant |
Technology Privacy and Security | Tech features viewed as high risk | Tech features viewed as low risk | Tech features viewed as low risk |
Perceived Control and Attitude Toward Authority | Technology outputs cannot be challenged/changed | Technology outputs can be challenged/changed | Technology outputs can be challenged/changed |
Technology Self-Efficacy | Lower (relative to peers) | Medium | Higher (relative to peers) |