Towards a Sociability Theory of Computer Anxiety: An Interpersonal Circumplex Perspective

This study investigates the relationship between individual personality traits and computer anxiety. Much behavioral research on technology-adoption antecedents is focused on individual level variables such as attitudes, beliefs, and personality traits such as computer anxiety and personal innovativeness. However, findings of research linking personality traits to technology adoption have been inconsistent. Our research introduces the Interpersonal Circumplex Model as a means of identifying psychological dimensions and individual traits that may be the exogenous determinants of such variables as anxiety, innovativeness, attitudes and perceptions. In this study, we surveyed 88 healthcare practitioners at a large, mid-western healthcare provider preparing to expand its telemedicine network. The survey measured position on the Interpersonal Circumplex and computer anxiety. Individuals whose trait scores reflected relatively equal degrees of Dominance and Affiliation reported a higher degree of computer anxiety. Our research findings support the notion that individual trait differences affect the level of computer anxiety. This is additional evidence that the Interpersonal Circumplex has promise as integrative trait model for MIS behavioral research.