Title
Assessing Technology in the Absence of Proof: Trust Based on the Interplay of Others’ Opinions and the Interaction Process
Abstract
Objective: The present research addresses the question of how trust in systems is formed when unequivocal information about system accuracy and reliability is absent, and focuses on the interaction of indirect information (others' evaluations) and direct (experiential) information stemming from the interaction process. Background: Trust in decision-supporting technology, such as route planners, is important for satisfactory user interactions. Little is known, however, about trust formation in the absence of outcome feedback, that is, when users have not yet had opportunity to verify actual outcomes. Method: Three experiments manipulated others' evaluations (endorsement cues) and various forms of experience-based information (process feedback) in interactions with a route planner and measured resulting trust using rating scales and credits staked on the outcome. Subsequently, an overall analysis was conducted. Results: Study 1 showed that effectiveness of endorsement cues on trust is moderated by mere process feedback. In Study 2, consistent (i.e., nonrandom) process feedback overruled the effect of endorsement cues on trust, whereas inconsistent process feedback did not. Study 3 showed that although the effects of consistent and inconsistent process feedback largely remained regardless of face validity, high face validity in process feedback caused higher trust than those with low face validity. An overall analysis confirmed these findings. Conclusion: Experiential information impacts trust even if outcome feedback is not available, and, moreover, overrules indirect trust cuesdepending on the nature of the former. Application: Designing systems so that they allow novice users to make inferences about their inner workings may foster initial trust.
Year
DOI
Venue
2015
10.1177/0018720815598604
HUMAN FACTORS
Keywords
Field
DocType
system trust,process feedback,outcome feedback,consistency,face validity
Experiential learning,Social psychology,Face validity,Simulation,Work in process,Human factors and ergonomics,Psychology,Planner,Rating scale,Accident prevention,Resulting trust
Journal
Volume
Issue
ISSN
57
8
0018-7208
Citations 
PageRank 
References 
0
0.34
15
Authors
3
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Peter De Vries1576.72
StéPhanie M. Van Den Berg291.32
Cees Midden324722.74