Do you want to be a cyborg? The moderating effect of ethics on neural implant acceptance. (August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Reinares-Lara, Eva; Olarte-Pascual, Cristina; Pelegrín-Borondo, Jorge
• Is Part Of: Computers in human behavior. Volume 85(2018)
• Page Start: 43
• Page End: 53
• Publication Date: 2018-08
• Subjects: Cyborg -- Ethics -- Insideables -- Memory implants -- Technology acceptance models; M3; Interactive computer systems -- Periodicals; Man-machine systems -- Periodicals; 004.019
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2018.03.032
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0747-5632

Abstract

Abstract: The development of neural implants to increase people's memory is enabling the creation of cyborgs (human-machine hybrids) with superior capacities. This paper aims to advance new technology acceptance models by analyzing the moderating effect of ethics on an integrative Cognitive-Affective-Normative (CAN) model to understand the acceptance of brain implants to increase capacities. The model is tested on a sample of 900 individuals segmented by their ethical assessment of these insideables: ethically in favor, ethically against, or ethically indifferent. The results show that an individual's ethical assessment of memory implants explains differences in his or her intention to use them but does not moderate the influence of performance expectancy, effort expectancy, positive emotions, negative emotions, or social influence on the intention to use them. The results have theoretical implications for technology acceptance models and open new lines of research concerning the future cyborg society. Highlights: Neural implants development enables the creation of highly qualified cyborgs. The intention to use memory implants is linked to individual's ethical assessment. Affective and normative factors have the greatest influence on the acceptance. Within the affective dimension, positive emotions have the greatest impact.