Computer rage: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 19:03, 30 January 2019

Revision as of 03:41, 19 February 2019

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In 2009, a survey was conducted with British computer users about their experiences with computers. This survey found that 54% of respondents reported verbally abusing their computers, and 40% reported that they had become physically violent toward their computers. The survey also found that most users experienced computer rage three to four times a month.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |title= 'Computer rage' affects more than half of Britons |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/5086091/Computer-rage-affects-more-than-half-of-Britons.html |website= Telegraph.co.uk |accessdate= 2015-11-03|date= April 2009 |last1= Wardrop |first1= Murray }}</ref>

Differences in types of computer rage have also been found between different geographical regions. For example, one survey found that individuals from London have been found to be five times more likely to physically assault their computers, while those from [[Yorkshire]] and [[Humberside]] were found to be more likely to yell at their computers.<ref>{{Cite web |title= Computer anger: Northerners shout, Southerners lash out {{!}} ZDNet |url= http://www.zdnet.com/article/computer-anger-northerners-shout-southerners-lash-out |website= [[ZDNet]] |accessdate= 2015-11-17}}</ref> Differences have also been observed for age groups, as younger adults (18–24 years old) have reported more abusive behaviors in the face of computer frustration when compared to older adults (over 35 years old).<ref name=":8" /> Individuals with less computer experience in particular have also been reported to experience increased feelings of anger and helplessness when it comes to computers,<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title= No. It's Not OK Computer! Computer-Related Stress in the Workplace |url= http://www.freshbusinessthinking.com/business_advice.php?AID=5202#.Vjg-OberSUl |website= Fresh Business Thinking |accessdate= 2015-11-03}}</ref> but other research has argued that it is the [[self-efficacy]] beliefs about computers that are predictive of computer frustration, not the amount of computer experience or use.<ref name=":9">{{Cite journal |title= Computer anxiety and anger: the impact of computer use, computer experience, and self-efficacy beliefs |url= http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0747563204000664 |journal= Computers in Human Behavior |date= 2006-11-01 |pages= 1001–1011 |volume= 22 |issue=6 |doi= 10.1016/j.chb.2004.03.020 |first= Jeffery D. |last= Wilfong}}</ref>

In 1999 Professor Robert J. Edelmann, a Chartered Clinical, Forensic and Health Psychologist and a Fellow of the British Psychological Society, was offering a special helpline in the UK for those suffering from technology related anger.<ref name="Ipsos">{{cite web |url= https://www.ipsos.com/ipsos-mori/en-uk/employees-get-it-out-their-systems |title= Employees Get 'It' Out Of Their Systems. Frustration levels with technology soar, according to new survey |publisher=[[Ipsos]] |date=27 May 1999 |accessdate= March 4, 2018}}</ref><ref name="People Management"/>

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In response to computer issues that invoke frustration, some experts have suggested walking away from the computer for 15 minutes to "cool off".<ref>{{Cite web|title = Drop the mouse and step away from the PC|url = http://www.nbcnews.com/id/7329279/ns/technology_and_science-tech_and_gadgets/t/drop-mouse-step-away-pc/#.Vjgy5berSUl|website = msnbc.com|accessdate = 2015-11-03|date = 2005-03-31}}</ref> Other methods to prevent computer rage can be backing up computer data often,<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/tech/news/2005-06-03-computer-rage_x.htm|title = Got computer rage? Expert suggests safe ways to vent|date = June 3, 2005|accessdate = November 2, 2015|website = USATODAY|publisher = |last = Davia|first = Joy}}</ref> increasing memory of the computer,<ref name=":3" /> and even imagining pleasant images, such as petting an animal.<ref name=":4" /> Adopting a goal of improving computer knowledge may also be beneficial, as users are less likely to report computer rage when they view the issue as a challenge and not as a setback.<ref name=":7" /> If computer rage cannot be avoided, guidelines on how to rage with minimal consequences, such as wearing safety goggles and taking frustration out on older equipment, can be followed to reduce the likelihood of injury and significant property loss.<ref name=":1" />

Employers of staff who work with computers, often in situations where time is crucial, can take steps to prevent computer rage, such as making sure there is adequate software, and providing employees with anger management strategies.<ref>{{Cite journal|title = The determinants and expression of computer-related anger|url = http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0747563209001162|journal = Computers in Human Behavior|date = 2009-11-01|pages = 1213–1221|volume = 25|issue = 6|doi = 10.1016/j.chb.2009.07.001|first = John P.|last = Charlton}}</ref> Some computer technician companies have reported that, to reduce computer rage, their technicians are trained on how to work with customers in sensitive psychological states just as much as how to diagnose and fix technical issues.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news|title = Repair Teams Try to Calm 'Computer Rage'|url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/04/30/AR2005043001119.html|newspaper = The Washington Post|date = 2005-05-01|access-date = 2015-11-03|issn = 0190-8286|first = Ariana Eunjung|last = Cha}}</ref>

Designing computer interfaces to display more emotional support when errors occur, or provide therapy strategies, has also been suggested as a way to mitigate computer anger and rage.<ref name=":9" /> The application of [[affective computing]] has been shown to effectively mitigate negative emotions connected to computer use. One study found that an interface that sought the user's feelings, provided [[empathy]], and validated reported emotional states significantly reduced negative emotions associated with computer frustration for users.<ref>{{Cite journal|title = This computer responds to user frustration: Theory, design, and results|url = http://iwc.oxfordjournals.org/content/14/2/119|journal = Interacting with Computers|date = 2002-02-01|issn = 0953-5438|pages = 119–140|volume = 14|issue = 2|doi = 10.1016/S0953-5438(01)00053-4|first = J.|last = Klein|first2 = Y.|last2 = Moon|first3 = R. W.|last3 = Picard}}</ref> Another study found that when error messages contain positive wording ("Great that the computer will soon work again") compared to negative wording ("This is frustrating") or a neutral error message, users exhibited more signs of happiness.<ref>{{Cite journal|title = The effects of affective interventions in human–computer interaction|url = http://iwc.oxfordjournals.org/content/16/2/295|journal = Interacting with Computers|date = 2004-04-01|issn = 0953-5438|pages = 295–309|volume = 16|issue = 2|doi = 10.1016/j.intcom.2003.12.001|language = en|first = Timo|last = Partala|first2 = Veikko|last2 = Surakka}}</ref>