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Objective The effects of asset degradation on trust in human-swarm interaction were investigated through the lens of system-wide trust theory. Background Researchers have begun investigating contextual features that shape human interactions with robotic swarms—systems comprising assets that coordinate behavior based on their nearest neighbors. Recent work has begun investigating how human trust toward swarms is affected by asset degradation through the lens of system-wide trust theory, but these studies have been marked by several limitations. Method In an online study, the current work manipulated asset degradation and measured trust-relevant criteria in a within-subjects design and addressed the limitations of past work. Results Controlling for swarm performance (i.e., target acquisition), asset degradation and trust (i.e., reliance intentions) in swarms were negatively related. In addition, as degradation increased, perceptions of swarm cohesion, obstacle avoidance, target acquisition, and terrain exploration efficiency decreased, the latter two of which (coupled with the reliance intentions criterion) support the tenets of system-wide trust theory as well as replicate and extend past work on the effects of asset degradation on trust in swarms. Conclusion Human-swarm interaction is a context in which system-wide trust is relevant, and future work ought to investigate how to calibrate human trust toward swarm systems. Applications Based on these findings, design professionals should prioritize ways to depict swarm performance and system health such that humans do not abandon trust in systems that are still functional yet not over-trust those systems which are indeed performing poorly.

Objective: The authors evaluated the validity of trust in automation and information technology (IT) suspicion by examining their factor structure and relationship with decision confidence. Background: Research on trust has burgeoned, yet the dimensionality of trust remains elusive. Researchers suggest that trust is a unidimensional construct, whereas others believe it is multidimensional. Additionally, novel constructs, such as IT suspicion, have yet to be distinguished from trust in automation. Research is needed to examine the overlap between these constructs and to determine the dimensionality of trust in automation. Method: Participants (N = 72) engaged in a computer-based convoy scenario involving an automated decision aid. The aid fused real-time sensor data and provided route recommendations to participants who selected a route based on (a) a map with historical enemy information, (b) sensor inputs, and (c) automation suggestions. Measures for trust in automation and IT suspicion were administered after individuals interacted with the automation. Results: Results indicated three orthogonal factors: trust, distrust, and IT suspicion. Each variable was explored as a predictor of decision confidence. Distrust and trust evidenced unique influences on decision confidence, albeit at different times. Higher distrust related to less confidence, whereas trust related to greater confidence. Conclusion: The current study found that trust in automation was best characterized by two orthogonal dimensions (trust and distrust). Both trust and distrust were found to be independent from IT suspicion, and both distrust and trust uniquely predicted decision confidence. Application: Researchers may consider using separate measures for trust and distrust in future studies.

Objective We created and validated a scale to measure perceptions of system trustworthiness. Background Several scales exist in the literature that attempt to assess trustworthiness of system referents. However, existing measures suffer from limitations in their development and validation. The current study sought to develop a scale based on theory and methodological rigor. Method We conducted exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses on data from two online studies to develop the System Trustworthiness Scale (STS). Additional analyses explored the manipulation of the factors and assessed convergent and divergent validity. Results The exploratory factor analyses resulted in a three-factor solution that represented the theoretical constructs of trustworthiness: performance, purpose, and process. Confirmatory factor analyses confirmed the three-factor solution. In addition, correlation and regression analyses demonstrated the scale's divergent and predictive validity. Conclusion The STS is a psychometrically valid and predictive scale for assessing trustworthiness perceptions of system referents. Applications The STS assesses trustworthiness perceptions of systems. Importantly, the scale differentiates performance, purpose, and process constructs and is adaptable to a variety of system referents.