Abstract
The purpose of this study was to clarify the effects of computer messages of varying degrees of politeness on subjects' task performance, mental state, and attitude toward computers. The task of subjects in the experiment was to type characters into the computer. When subjects made an input mistake or exceeded the time-limit, or required aid (used the HELP key), a message was given by the computer to which subjects had to reply by pressing either the “Shut up!” button or the “I am sorry” button. Before and after the experiment subjects were required to answer a questionnaire concerned with their image and attitude toward computers and the degree to which the task of typing is unpleasant. The main results were: 1) Subjects who received impolite messages felt that the message was unfriendly, but felt less unpleasantness in typing than subjects who received no message. Subjects became aggressive when impolite message were given repeatedly. 2) Subjects who received impolite messages showed positive attitude change toward computers despite the impolite messages.
