Human-computer anxiety and phobia: a consideration of foundations and interventions

Abstract

The expectation that workers at all levels of an organization use computers is growing in many different work cultures. Many complex systems that require human interaction are heavily dependent on advanced computing support. Many problems associated with computer use have come to be classified as "human factor" breakdowns. The area of computer anxiety and computer related fears/phobias, however, could also benefit from study and intervention. The study of human computer interaction has not typically addressed problems that emerge from the motivational or emotional/affective perspective. Reactions to being required to be computer literate, however, may be so extreme as to require clinical intervention. Paradoxically, potential treatments and support may be heavily reliant on emerging computing abilities.