In a British survey by the Mori survey group, a quarter of people under-25 years admit to kicking their personal computers. The research showed that four out of five people have witnessed colleagues in the workplace vent their anger on computers, resulting in damaged hardware and loss of business. 70 per cent admitted to shouting, swearing or being violent towards their computer. Other studies on this topic, including one conducted in Australia back in 1999, showed similar levels of rage.
Professor Robert Edelmann, a leading psychologist on the causes of conflict at work, believes that computer rage is much more prolific than road rage and is a by-product of our obsession with technology. Other findings showed that one third of people stay late at the office or take work home as a direct result of IT problems.
You are not alone
A survey carried out by the University of California found that computers were the most frustrating household appliance. 55% reported being sometimes frustrated and 16% frequently frustrated with computers.
One of the reasons we get so angry at our PC is that we often forget it's just a machine. Another common theory is that the rage stems from us not understanding the computer's limits.
The simple fact that computers can't talk back also adds to the level of computer rage. Not only is it easier to yell at an inanimate object than a flesh-and-blood person but, as Dr Nadine Marcus, lecturer in human-computer interaction at the University of NSW, points out, they can't help you fix the problem.
Let me help you fix your computer problems reduce your stress. Call Roz on 0405 983 655.
