Assessing Technology in the Absence of Proof: Trust Based on the Interplay of Others' Opinions and the Interaction Process.
OBJECTIVE
The present research addresses the question of how trust in systems is formed when unequivocal information about system accuracy and reliability is absent, and focuses on the interaction of indirect information (others' evaluations) and direct (experiential) information stemming from the interaction process.


BACKGROUND
Trust in decision-supporting technology, such as route planners, is important for satisfactory user interactions. Little is known, however, about trust formation in the absence of outcome feedback, that is, when users have not yet had opportunity to verify actual outcomes.


METHODS
Three experiments manipulated others' evaluations ("endorsement cues") and various forms of experience-based information ("process feedback") in interactions with a route planner and measured resulting trust using rating scales and credits staked on the outcome. Subsequently, an overall analysis was conducted.


RESULTS
Study 1 showed that effectiveness of endorsement cues on trust is moderated by mere process feedback. In Study 2, consistent (i.e., nonrandom) process feedback overruled the effect of endorsement cues on trust, whereas inconsistent process feedback did not. Study 3 showed that although the effects of consistent and inconsistent process feedback largely remained regardless of face validity, high face validity in process feedback caused higher trust than those with low face validity. An overall analysis confirmed these findings.


CONCLUSIONS
Experiential information impacts trust even if outcome feedback is not available, and, moreover, overrules indirect trust cues-depending on the nature of the former.


CONCLUSIONS
Designing systems so that they allow novice users to make inferences about their inner workings may foster initial trust.
University of Twente, Enschede, NetherlandsEindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands p.w.devries@utwente.nl.
Peter W
PW
de Vries
University of Twente, Enschede, Netherlands.
Stéphanie M
SM
van den Berg
University of Twente, Enschede, NetherlandsEindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands.
Cees
C
Midden
D001290:Attitude; D006804:Ergonomics; D005246:Feedback; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013672:Technology; D035502:Trust
consistency; face validity; outcome feedback; process feedback; system trust