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Using EEG Frontal Asymmetry to Predict IT User’s Perceptions Regarding Usefulness, Ease of Use and Playfulness

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Abstract

Information systems (IS) community is increasingly interested in employing neuroscience tools and methods in order to develop new theories concerning Human–computer interaction (HCI) and further understand IS acceptance models. The new field of NeuroIS has been introduced to address these issues. NeuroIS researchers have proposed encephalography (EEG), among other neuroscience instruments, as a valuable usability metric, when used effectively in appropriately designed experiments. Moreover, numerous researchers have suggested that EEG frontal asymmetry may serve as an important metric of user experience. Based on the aforementioned evidence, this study aims to integrate frontal asymmetry with Technology acceptance model (TAM). Particularly, we assumed that frontal asymmetry might predict users’ perceptions regarding Usefulness and Ease of Use. Furthermore, we hypothesized that frontal asymmetry might also affect (influence) users’ Perceived Playfulness. Specifically, 82 (43 females and 39 males) undergraduate students were chosen to use a Computer-Based Assessment (while being connected to the EEG) in the context of an introductory informatics course. Results confirmed our hypothesis as well as points of theory about Information technology (IT) acceptance variables. This is one of the first studies to suggest that frontal asymmetry could serve as a valuable tool for examining IT acceptance constructs and better understanding HCI.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Science and Technology, International Hellenic University, 14th km Thessaloniki – Moudania, Thessaloniki, Greece

    Christos N. Moridis

  2. Hellenic Electricity Distribution, Network Operator S.A., 20, Perraivou & 5, Kallirois str., Athens, Greece

    Vasileios Terzis

  3. Interdepartmental Programme of Postgraduate Studies in Information Systems, University of Macedonia, Egnatia Street 156, 540 06, Thessaloniki, Greece

    Anastasios A. Economides

  4. Laboratory of Clinical Neurophysiology AHEPA Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University Campus, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece

    Anna Karlovasitou

  5. Laboratory of Experimental Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University Campus, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece

    Vasileios E. Karabatakis

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  1. Christos N. Moridis
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  2. Vasileios Terzis
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  4. Anna Karlovasitou
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  5. Vasileios E. Karabatakis
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Correspondence to Christos N. Moridis.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. This article does not contain any studies with animals performed by any of the authors.

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Moridis, C.N., Terzis, V., Economides, A.A. et al. Using EEG Frontal Asymmetry to Predict IT User’s Perceptions Regarding Usefulness, Ease of Use and Playfulness. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback 43, 1–11 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10484-017-9379-8

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