ABSTRACT

Older adults are often stereotyped as having less technological ability than younger age groups. As a result, older individuals may avoid using technology due to stereotype threat, the fear of confirming negative stereotypes about their social group. The present research examined the role of stereotype threat within the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Across two studies, experiencing stereotype threat in the technological domain was indirectly associated with lower levels of technology use among older adults. This was found for subjective (Study 1) and objective measures (Study 2) of use behaviour, and for technology use in general (Study 1) and computer use in particular (Study 2). In line with the predictions of the Technology Acceptance Model, this relationship was mediated by anxiety, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and behavioural intention. Specifically, stereotype threat was negatively associated with perceived ease of use (Studies 1 and 2) and anxiety mediated this relationship (Study 2). These findings suggest that older adults underuse technology due to the threat of confirming ageist stereotypes targeting their age group. Stereotype threat may thus be an important barrier to technology acceptance and usage in late adulthood.

摘要

老年人通常被认为技术能力不如年轻人。结果，由于刻板印象威胁，老年人可能会避免使用技术，害怕确认对他们的社会群体的负面刻板印象。本研究检验了刻板印象威胁在技术接受模型 (TAM) 中的作用。在两项研究中，在技术领域经历刻板印象威胁与老年人的技术使用水平较低间接相关。这适用于使用行为的主观（研究 1）和客观测量（研究 2），以及一般的技术使用（研究 1）和特别是计算机使用（研究 2）。根据技术接受模型的预测，这种关系由焦虑、感知易用性、感知有用性、和行为意图。具体来说，刻板印象威胁与感知易用性呈负相关（研究 1 和 2），而焦虑介导了这种关系（研究 2）。这些发现表明，由于确认针对其年龄组的年龄歧视刻板印象的威胁，老年人未充分利用技术。因此，刻板印象威胁可能是成年后期技术接受和使用的一个重要障碍。