Abstract
The purpose of this panel discussion is to bring together a broad range of individuals who are concerned with the possible negative effects of advanced computerized technologies. The term “technostress” was coined by Craig Brod, in his 1984 book of the same title, to describe the personal and behavioral effects of computerization on humans. Effects range from computer-related phobias and anxieties to over-identification with new technologies. Human factors specialists have thus far not specifically addressed the concept of technostress, perhaps in part because of the clinical underpinnings of the term, because it is not sufficiently defined and operationalized to lend itself to scientific scrutiny (including multi-determination and multi-finality), and/or because we have tended to focus on issues of computer user-friendliness on a micro rather than macro level. The importance of this panel, therefore, is of an epistemological nature. What is technostress? Can we as human factors professionals incorporate the concept into our research, our models, our applications? If not, why not? If so, how?
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.