Machine heuristic: concept explication and development of
a measurement scale

Machine heuristic: concept explication and development of
a measurement scale

machine heuristic, cognitive heuristic, concept explication, scale development, scale validation.

Human assumption of superior performance by machines has a long history, resulting in the concept of “machine heuristic” (MH), which is a
mental shortcut that individuals apply to automated systems. This article provides a formal explication of this concept and develops a new scale
based on three studies (Combined N 1⁄4 1129). Measurement items were derived from the explication and an open-ended survey (Study 1,
N 1⁄4 270). These were then administered in a closed-ended survey (Study 2, N 1⁄4 448) to identify their dimensionality through exploratory factor

analysis (EFA). Lastly, we conducted another survey (Study 3, N 1⁄4 411) to verify the factor structure obtained in Study 2 by employing confirma-
tory factor analysis (CFA). Analyses resulted in a validated scale of seven items that reflect the level of MH in individuals and identified six sets

of descriptive labels for machines (expert, efficient, rigid, superfluous, fair, and complex) that serve as formative indicators of MH. Theoretical
and practical implications are discussed.

Hyun Yang 1,�, S. Shyam Sundar

https://doi.org/10.1093/jcmc/zmae019

Oxford University Press on behalf of International Communication Association.

August 8, 2024

PERI IRAWAN

PDF

ENGLISH

TEXT