ILLINOIS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, 1983
EDUCATION, EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY (0525)
In the present study, the diffusion of a major innovation into an essentially
pre-technological field is
empirically studied. The process of diffusion when unplanned, can be haphazard
and unpredictable. The
contention of this thesis is that successful adoption of new technologies requires
a comprehensive
understanding of the receivers of new techniques, practices, and ideas. Specifically,
it is necessary to
know the personality, social, and demographic characteristics of the mental
health innovator. It is widely
acknowledged that the very first users of a new idea have marked influence on
whether or not the idea
will be adopted by subsequent members of the field. A hypothetical profile of
the innovator was derived
from an extensive review of the literature. This profile served as the basis
for the hypotheses in this
study. It was hypothesized that personality and demographic variables could
be used to discriminate
innovators from non-innovators. Two hundred fifty owners of on-line computer
assessment systems
(known to be among the first) were contacted by mail and asked to complete the
PRF-E, a
comprehensive personality questionnaire, and a bio-demographical questionnaire.
Sixty-eight agreed to
participate representing a 26% response rate. In addition, a random sample of
three hundred
non-owners was contacted. Forty-eight agreed to participate, representing a
16% response rate. A cross
validated stepwise discriminant analysis confirmed that personality and demographic
variables are able to
discriminate innovators from non-innovators. However, the discriminant function
was more successful in
classifying innovators than non-innovators. Personality variables discriminated
with the greatest accuracy
and consistency. In the cross validation procedure, innovators were correctly
classified 75% of the time
while non-innovators were correctly classified only 50% of the time. The results
of this study indicate that
innovators of computerized psychological assessment are distinct types of professionals
as compared
with non-innovators. The implications of this research are discussed in terms
of the importance of
understanding the diffusion process. The need for improved communication between
researchers and
the rest of society is emphasized. Recommendations for further research are
presented.
Social
Systems Simulation Group
P.O. Box 6904 San Diego, CA 92166-0904 Roland Werner, Principal Phone/FAX (619) 660-1603 |