Perceptions of Humans Wearing Technology

The current study is an examination of how using “wearable technology” may impact the impressions formed by others about the technology user. Previous research has examined how technological devices that are made to be more humanlike may be perceived, yet little research has investigated the perceptions of humans who are made more like technological devices through the augmentation of their senses or abilities. Participants viewed faces of male and female models either wearing no external devices, wearing non-technological articles, wearing consumer electronic devices, or scientific/military devices (eye trackers). Overall, models were viewed less favorably when wearing technology, but the attributions were a complex interaction of the rater's comfort with technology, the sex of the model, and the particular attribute being examined. Wearable technology may augment cognitive abilities, but interfere with interpersonal relations.