The Measurement of Attitudes toward Man-Machine Systems

Abstract

To explore and increase the understanding of man-machine relationships, an instrument designed to assess attitudes toward machines was developed and tested in this study. The scaling techniques used in the instrument were based on the work of Charles Osgood with the Semantic Differential. One hundred subjects, consisting of professionals experienced with various machine systems, i.e., programmers, engineers, human factor and operations research scientists, were asked to describe the characteristics of ten machines (Radio, Radar, Automobile, Man, Computer, Teletype, Bulldozer, Bicycle, Welding Torch, and Watch), by means of forty-two adjectives. The results indicate that the developed instrument can be used effectively for the assessment of man-machine attitudes. The hypothesized attitudes toward control and power, toward machines as an extension of man's capabilities, and toward change did emerge; however, typical Osgood factor patterns were not obtained in most of the analyses. The steps for modification of the test instrument and validation of it against performance criteria were discussed.