ABSTRACT

Individual differences in cognitive functions are relevant in the interaction of novices with the computer. This paper describes how the individual differences of naive users interact with a computer system. A model of human-computer interaction is discussed. The research tries to uncover some personality dimensions which can influence the user's mental model and the communication process between naive users and the computer system. The relations between some types of anxiety, mental model and computer performance are investigated. We underline that anxiety influences in different ways the user's mental model and human-computer performance.

KEYWORDS: cognitive ergonomics, human-computer interaction, user-interface design, individual differences