Have you googled it? a study in the relationship between personality, computer self-efficacy, and computer competency

Graduation Date

2014

Document Type

Thesis

Program

Other

Program

Thesis (M.A.)--Humboldt State University, Psychology: Counseling, 2014

Committee Chair Name

Lizabeth Eckerd

Committee Chair Affiliation

HSU Faculty or Staff

Keywords

Humboldt State University -- Theses -- Psychology, Computers, Computer competency, Self-efficacy, Computer self-efficacy, Personality Big Five

Abstract

Computers are a widely used technology today, in both work environments and in leisure time as well (Census Bureau, 2012; Labor Statistics Bureau, 2003; Pew Internet, 2012). How competent people are with computers is therefore an important area of research. However, there exists very little in the literature about general computer competency. While there have been many studies into specific computer program competency, and people's interactions and attitudes towards computers (Broady, Chan, Caputi, 2010; Korobili, Togia, Malliari, 2010; Wong, Leahy, Marcus, Sweller, 2012), there is an absence in the literature about a more generalized computer competency. This study attempts to fill that gap in the literature, as well as attempt to discover if there is a self-efficacy and personality pattern among those who are competent with computers and those who are not. Self-efficacy is a broadly studied topic of psychology that explains a person's perceived confidence and aptitude in specific domains. People with higher domain specific self-efficacy generally perform better at a task than those with lower domain specific self-efficacy (Bandura, 1968; Judge et al.,2007; Pajares Miller, 1994; Sarkar, Fisher, Schillinger, 2006). Personality is another widely studied factor that influences many aspects of our lives, and can predict certain life outcomes (Boudreau, Boswell, Judge, 2000; Feyter, Caers, Vigna Berings, 2012; Kotov, Gamez, Schmidt Watson, 2010; Ozer Benet-Martinez, 2006). In this study we distributed surveys to Humboldt State University (HSU) staff and faculty measuring self-efficacy, computer competency, and Big Five personality. Forty three of the three hundred surveys were returned completed. Regression analysis and ANOVA were used to examine the responses. While Openness to experience and Neuroticism were found to be significantly correlated with competency, this variance was not over and above the variance explained by self-efficacy. Future research could include further strengthening of the validity of the General Computer Competency Scale, as well as research into explaining the significance of the relationships between Openness to Experience and Neuroticism with computer competency. It is postulated that if a child scores highly in these domains, the strength of the domain will influence initial adoption of technological skills and experience. Continued or absent mastery experiences will dramatically effect computer self-efficacy, and reciprocally, computer competency.

https://scholarworks.calstate.edu/concern/theses/jd472z87r

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