Current Research Projects
Improving Online Learning for Technologically Structured Individuals
This research examines the perception of online learning for individuals born after 1982 (technologically structured) and those born prior to 1982 (non-technologically structured) and suggests methods that librarians can use to engage and influence increased library use in younger generations.
The Neural Persuasion Model (NPM)
This work is developing a persuasion model based on neuroscience findings related to brain activity during persuasion.
Brain Response to Persuasion: A Systematic Review of the Neuroscience Literature
This research will review the research performed in neuroscience to support how the brain responds to persuasion. This will include persuasion in a variety of areas, including smoking cessation, substance abuse cessation, as well as learning activities.
Publications and Presentations
Persuading Library Use in Technologically Structured Individuals
This research examines the perception of libraries and librarians for individuals born after 1982 (technologically structured) and those born prior to 1982 (non-technologically structured) and suggests methods that librarians can use to engage and influence increased library use in younger generations.
Library Hi-Tech Journal,Volume 29, Issue 4. Emerald Publishing.
Neural persuasion:A persuasion model for the technologically structured individual.
Presented at Persuasive 2011, June 2-5, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. This study relies on recent research in neuroscience to explore a persuasion model for technologically structured individuals - those born after 1982.
Teaching mathematics using mediated and mixed-mediated communication models
Presented virtually at the 9th International Conference on Education and Information Systems, Technologies and Applications (EISTA 2011), Orlando, Florida and published in IMSCI-11 The 5th International Multi-Conference on Society, Cybernetics and Informatics, Proceedings, Volume 1. This study examines instructor perspectives of teaching mathematics using unmediated communication, full computer-mediated communication, and a mixed media communication model.
Successful Persuasive Technology for Behavior Reduction: Mapping to Fogg’s Gray Behavior Grid - Persuasive 2010 Proceedings
This study evaluates 24 persuasive technologies that achieved statistically significant behavior reduction across a variety of domains. The purpose of this research was to map the 24 persuasive technology studies across the Gray Behaviors (decrease behavior) in Fogg’s Behavior Grid in order to identify commonalities and patterns in the technologies. Additionally, each persuasive technology is mapped to Fogg’s Behavior Model factors, and Fogg’s persuasive strategies. Mapping across these three dimensions provides a synthesized understanding of how persuasive technology successfully reduces behavior.
The Persuasive Architectures of Facebook - In Press - Chapter in The Psychology of Facebook (B.J. Fogg, editor)
This research examines whether there are any behavioral determinants of new members' continued participation in Facebook. The behaviors observed were use of the Facebook interaction points: posting a profile picture, posting to the wall, status posting, joining a group, using applications, posting additional photos, and receiving communication from others. In addition, the factor of gender was examined, as was the question of whether relationships existed between a new member's continued Facebook participation and the use of specific interaction points. From the results, it is clear there are a number of significant relationships, and it is these relationships that are reported in this paper. Finally, the question of what useful investigations might follow this study is discussed.
User innovation is enabled through the existence of networks. This article examines the architectures of the social network, Facebook, and provides a theoretical discussion of why and how the architectures of Facebook can support a user innovation environment and what factors of the architectures can improve and enhance innovation.
A Descriptive Study of Behavior in Virtual Teams - 2008 AERO Conference Presentation (can only be viewed in IE)
Virtual teams are the basis of significant business and educational experiences. To understand the factors that influence leadership in virtual teams, this study analyzed how interaction in virtual teams affects leadership. The study provides a comparison of groups on the factors of gender, types of posting behaviors, and total quantity of individual contributions. The analysis reveals the differences among these factors on measures of leadership behavior. In general, the factor of gender is an important determinant of how team members post, and how often they post. The quantity of postings is influenced by gender, and is related to when postings occur in a team's interaction cycle. Additionally, how leadership is perceived differs between males and females and differences were also seen between same sex leadership ratings and cross-gender leadership ratings. The findings support the importance of credibility as a determinant of leadership in virtual teams.
The Gender Factor
This article discusses the influence of interaction effects of gender and enduring involvement on the perceived credibility of Web sites. This article discusses results that show that the interaction effect between gender, enduring involvement, and situational involvement significantly influences the perceived credibility of a Web site. Read the full article in the Third International Conference, Persuasive 2008, Oulu Finland June 4-6 2008 Proceedings. View article here
Involvement Level and Credibility
How does the involvement level of a Web site user impact how that user perceives the credibility of the Web site? The study determined the relationship between two variables: enduring involvement and situational involvement and the study measured the effect of these two independent variables and the interaction effects on the perceived credibility of Web sites. A supplemental analysis assessed whether the four groups produced by the factorial design varied with regard to the Web site element categories noticed during credibility evaluation. The research found that the interaction effect between enduring involvement and situational involvement significantly influenced perceived credibility. Additionally, the user's focus shifted to a more central focus when situational involvement was introduced and different Web site elements were noticed. The full article is available at: View Article Here
Susan Ferebee, Ph.D. - Researcher, Professor 