THE IMPACT OF COGNITIVE APPRAISAL, LOCUS OF CONTROL, AND LEVEL OF EXPOSURE ON THE COMPUTER ANXIETY OF NOVICE COMPUTER USERS

With the mass introduction of computers in the workplace researchers h ave spent considerable time, over the last two decades, investigating methods to effectively integrate this technology into the daily routin es of employees at all levels within the organization [1 -3]. An exoge nous variable, and precursor to introduction of computers, is computer anxiety [4-6]. Computer anxiety is generally defined as an anxious re sponse by the individual to the anticipated or actual contact with com puters [7]. This article examined the relationship of cognitive apprai sal, locus of control, prior exposure, and computer anxiety. It was hy pothesized that an individual's appraisal of a computing situation, wh ether the person was internally or externally focused, and their prior experience with computers would affect their level of computer anxiet y as measured by the Computer Concerns Questionnaire. A stepwise multi ple regression was performed and the results indicated that cognitive appraisal and exposure were significant predictors of computer anxiety . The authors conclude that early assessments of a novice user's appra isal of the situation should be used to tailor training programs to th e specific individual's needs.