Gary S. Nickell

The computer attitude scale

Abstract The Computer Attitude Scale (CAS) was created to measure positive and negative attitudes toward computers. Data collected from multiple groups of subjects indicated that both the reliability (internal consistency and test-retest) and validity (short-term predictive, concurrent and construct) of the CAS were adequate. Indications of possible sex and age differences in attitudes towards computers were also found.

The Impact of Attitudes and Experience on Small Business Computer Use

This study investigates the attitudes of small business owners/managers toward computers and how computers are used in small businesses. A survey of 236 firms revealed that a majority of the respondents are currently using computers. In general, owners/managers have a positive attitude toward computers. Respondents who have taken a computer class, own a microcomputer, or whose businesses are using computers have a more positive attitude toward computers. The most frequent business computer applications were accounting, mailing lists, and storing information. The most frequently reported personal applications were word processing, accounting, and budgeting. Implications for further computerization of small businesses are discussed.

The role of work habits in the motivation of food safety behaviors

The authors considered work habits within an integrated framework of motivated behavior. A distinction made between automatic and controlled action led to 2 measures of work habits: a habit strength measure reflecting the 4 characteristics of automaticity and a measure of work routines under conscious control. Workers at a turkey processing plant (N = 162) responded to an extensive survey of these work habits measures with regard to food safety. Results indicated that attitudes and subjective norms predicted food safety intentions. These intentions, along with perceived behavior control and work habits, predicted reports of food safety behaviors. A mediation analysis indicated that the work routines measure accounted for the variance in self-reported behavior and mediated any effect of the habit strength measure.

THE PRISONER'S DILEMMA GAME AND COOPERATION IN THE RAT

Cooperation in pairs of rats playing the prisoners dilemma game was investigated. Six pairs of animals were taught to make either cooperative or uncooperative responses by running to one or the other end of a T-maze. Two T-mazes were joined together such that animals could respond simultaneously. Animals were run under conditions in which visual communication was present and absent. Mutually uncooperative responses were the most common and mutually cooperative behaviors the least preferred. Introduction of a barrier between the mazes, which removed visual communication between pairs, sharply accentuated uncooperative behavior. Similarities of the present findings to results with human subjects and the implications of using game theory for studying cooperative behavior in animals are discussed.