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Cognitive Styles when Using Technology
Overview
What cognitive styles do we use to interact with technology? The GenderMag Project has identified five cognitive facets we bring to our use of technology.
Overview
The GenderMag Project has identified five research-based cognitive facets people bring to their use of technology:
- Motivations for using technology,
- Self-efficacy when using technology,
- Learning style when using technology,
- Information processing style when using technology, and
- Attitude toward risk when using technology.
Keep reading to learn more about each facet and the GenderMag personas that embody different sets of facet values (also called cognitive styles).
GenderMag Personas
The GenderMag Project has defined three GenderMag personas: Abi, Pat, and Tim. Each persona represents a different set of cognitive styles. Abi and Tim represent the two ends of the cognitive style spectra and Pat is in the middle.
See the Attached Resources (below) for definitions of each GenderMag facet and each facet value.
Abi, Pat, and Tim:
Abi
(Abigail/Abishek)
(Abigail/Abishek)
Motivation: Uses technology to accomplish their tasks.
Computer Self-Efficacy: Lower self-confidence than peers about doing unfamiliar computing tasks. Blames themselves for problems, which affects whether and how they will persevere.
Attitude Toward Risk: Risk-averse about using unfamiliar technologies that might require a lot of time.
Information Processing Style: Comprehensive.
Learning by Process vs. Tinkering: Process-orientated learning.
Pat
(Patricia/Patrick)
(Patricia/Patrick)
Motivation: Learns new technologies when they need to.
Computer Self-Efficacy: Medium confidence doing unfamiliar computing tasks. If a problem can't be fixed, they will keep trying.
Attitude Toward Risk: Risk-averse and doesn't want to expend time when they might not receive benefits.
Information Processing Style: Comprehensive.
Learning by Process vs. Tinkering: Likes to explore and purposefully tinker.
Tim (Timara/Timothy)
Motivation: Likes learning all the available functionality on all their devices
Computer Self-Efficacy: High confidence in technical abilities. If a problem can't be fixed, blame goes to software vendor.
Attitude Toward Risk: Doesn't mind taking risk using features of technology.
Information Processing Style: Selective information processing
Learning by Process vs. Tinkering: Likes tinkering and exploring.
Learn More
Want to learn more? Additional resources below.