On teaching computer ethics within a computer science department

The author has surveyed a quarter of the accredited undergraduate computer science programs in the United States. More than half of these programs offer a “social and ethical implications of computing” course taught by a computer science faculty member, and there appears to be a trend toward teaching ethics classes within computer science departments. Although the decision to create an “in house” computer ethics course may sometimes be a pragmatic response to pressure from the accreditation agency, this paper argues that teaching ethics within a computer science department can provide students and faculty members with numerous benefits. The paper lists topics that can be covered in a computer ethics course and offers some practical suggestions for making the course successful. An earlier version of this paper was presented at the 2005 conference, Ethics and Social Responsibility in Engineering and Technology, Linking Workplace Ethics and Education, co-hosted by Gonzaga University and Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, California, 9–10 June 2005.     

A computer interview language: Programming the on-line interactive computer

Seven computer interview and two disk file commands are executed by a computer program to display multiple-choice questions on a CRT video screen, to record clients’ answers, and to branch to various sets of questions. The program interpreting these commands uses little computer memory and does not require change each time the interview is altered or expanded. It can be written in almost any general-purpose programming language.     

Using computer conferencing to formulate a computer simulation of transitive behavior

The activities of a group engaged in simulation modeling via computer conferencing are described, and the model which resulted from those activities is briefly outlined. The phenomena which were modeled were initially described in a series of studies by Trabasso and his colleagues. These studies centered upon exhibition of transitive choices by children and adults, and supported the hypothesis that the choices were guided by formation of “linear arrays“ of the choice objects.     

Intimacy and computer communication

The relationship between intimacy and communication which uses computer technology is addressed. Definitions of intimacy are considered, and the nature of intimate conversations which use computers as a communications medium are discussed. Implications for counselling are examined.     

Human versus computer interviewing

Responses to counterbalanced human and computer interviews were examined for Gordon's Survey of Interpersonal Values to determine whether such responses would differ. Of an initial 72 male and female subjects, 52 completed both interviews scheduled one week apart. A 3-way MANOVA revealed significant response differences between interviewer type. However, neither significant sex or interviewer order differences, nor significant interactions were found. The results suggest that the interpretive validity of responses obtained in a computer interview may be threatened. The authors additionally suggest that the observed differences may be due to an interaction between interviewer type and test anxiety level.     

Metaphor in computer science

The language of computer science is laced with metaphor. We argue that computer science metaphors provide a conceptual framework in which to situate constantly emerging new ontologies in computational environments. But how computer science metaphors work does not fit neatly into prevailing general theories of metaphor. We borrow from these general theories while also considering the unique role of computer science metaphors in learning, design, and scientific analysis. We find that computer science metaphors trade on both preexisting and emerging similarities between computational and traditional domains, but owing to computer science's peculiar status as a discipline that creates its own subject matter, the role of similarity in metaphorical attribution is multifaceted.     

The computer as psychometrician

The application of computers to the functions traditionally carried out by a psychometrician or psychologist is examined. Diagnosis, psychotherapy, interviewing, psychological testing, test interpretation, and report writing are reviewed. The advantages and disadvantages of using computers in assessment applications are discussed. Patient and professional acceptance of automated psychological services is reviewed, as well as the parameters to consider in the development of computerized interviewing and testing. Brief comments are made regarding suitable computer systems for these applications. It is argued that computers can provide a cost-effective enhancement to the delivery of mental health services.     

Gender roles,computer attitudes,and dyadic computer interaction performance in college students

Females tend to score lower than males on measures of computer aptitude and attitudes. This study examined the potential effects of several mediating factors, sex of experimenter, sex of experimental partner, sex typing (Bem Sex Role Inventory score), and level of past experience, on a computer interaction task involving a dyad. College students, drawn from a primarily white college population, after completing paper-and-pencil measures assessing computer experience, computer attitudes, and gender roles, participated in a computer task involving drawing up to ten prescribed geometric patterns on a computer screen. Research assistants recorded the number of correctly completed patterns and videotaped participant interaction through a one-way mirror. Males reported experiencing more computer involvement than females. For males, past computer experience and masculinity were correlated with more positive computer attitude scores. For females, only past computer experience related to more positive computer attitude scores. Analyses of the computer interaction variable indicated that participants asked male research assistants significantly more questions than female research assistants. Several interaction effects were also found.A previous version of this paper was presented at the annual meeting of the Southwestern Psychological Association, New Orleans, April 1991.     

Psychology of computer use: XXVI. Computer-related stress and in-class computer usage.

Two-year college students receiving three different levels of class-based computer experiences were surveyed using Hudiburg's Computer Technology Hassles Scale. Although their academic work involved widely different types of work with computers, all groups (ns = 23, 32, and 24) appeared to perceive the same interactions with computers as unpleasant. The students selected unpleasant interactions in the same numbers and with the same intensity.     

The relationship of computer self-efficacy expectations to computer interest and course enrollment in college

Gender differences in perceived self-efficacy for computer use may help account for differential computer interest and course enrollment at the college level. Three hundred sixty-eight students completed a two-page questionnaire assessing perceived computer self-efficacy, plans to take a computer science course, perceived importance of computing skills, and interest in learning about computers. Men rated themselves higher than did women for perceived self-efficacy. They were also more positive on the cognitive outcome measures, but with computer self-efficacy held constant, the magnitude of these differences was decreased, suggesting that perceived self-efficacy may be an important consideration when examining gender differences in computer interest and use.The author wishes to thank Dr. Martin Ford and Dr. Albert Bandura for their helpful comments on an earlier version of this article. This research was supported by a grant from the San Jose State University Foundation. Portions of this research were reported at the annual meetings of the American Educational Research Association in San Francisco, April 1986.     

Mental patients as computer operators

Tactics of design are described for programs to be used by chronic psychiatric patients on an accounting task in the maintenance of records of token economies at Creedmoor Psychiatric Center. To address the patients’ cognitive, motoric, and motivational deficiencies, special attention was paid to display features, branching formats, error detection, feedback, and keyboard utilization.