The Factors Affecting Perceptions and Use of Technology

This presentation will discuss my research on the ways in which people use technology, as well as the factors that lead someone to perceive technology a certain way, such as personal experience and influence of peers. Using an online survey of college students, I explored whether college students use and perceive technology the same way as those who are not in college. The technologies examined include smartphones, the Internet and social media, as they are almost essential to function in today's world. These technologies were contextualized in several different aspects of life (such as connectivity, knowledge and social conflict) to illustrate the extent to which technology has both improved and hindered society, as well as to show that personal experience often affects how people view technology. This discussion will provide an enhanced understanding of the psychological aspects of technology, which will enrich our understanding of the complex role of technology in society today, and, ultimately, enable us to make better choices about how to use technology responsibly moving forward.