How do mental models affect cybersecurity awareness? The roles of questioning styles, need for cognition, and graphical representations

IF 5.4 2区计算机科学 Q1 COMPUTER SCIENCE, INFORMATION SYSTEMS Computers & Security Pub Date : 2024-12-19 DOI:10.1016/j.cose.2024.104292

Yuntian Xie, Ting Lei, Zimo Li, Yujing Yang, Chunyin Chen, Yuanyuan Long

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Abstract

This study, grounded in psychological model theory, investigated the influence of psychological models on cybersecurity awareness. To achieve this, two online experiments were conducted with college students. Experiment 1 examined the impact of various questioning methods on cybersecurity awareness within different problem situations among 479 college students. Experiment 2 explored the interplay of cognitive needs and graphic representations in shaping cybersecurity awareness among 468 college students. Our findings revealed that both problem situations and questioning methods significantly affect cybersecurity awareness. Notably, in criminal scenarios, a four-step questioning approach demonstrated the most pronounced positive impact on cybersecurity awareness. Additionally, an interaction effect was observed between cognitive needs and graphic representations on cybersecurity awareness. Specifically, graphic representations were more effective in promoting cybersecurity awareness among individuals with high cognitive needs. These results underscore the importance of questioning methods and cognitive needs in mediating the impact of psychological models on cybersecurity awareness, while also highlighting the conditional influence of graphic representations.

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心理模型如何影响网络安全意识？提问方式的作用、认知需求和图形表征

本研究以心理模型理论为基础，探讨心理模型对网络安全意识的影响。为了达到这个目的，我们对大学生进行了两个在线实验。实验1考察了479名大学生在不同问题情境下，不同提问方式对网络安全意识的影响。实验二探讨了认知需求和图形表征在468名大学生网络安全意识形成中的相互作用。我们的研究结果表明，问题情境和提问方法都显著影响网络安全意识。值得注意的是，在犯罪场景中，四步提问方法对网络安全意识的积极影响最为明显。此外，认知需求与网络安全意识的图形表征之间存在交互作用。具体而言，图形表示在提高具有高认知需求的个体的网络安全意识方面更有效。这些结果强调了提问方法和认知需求在中介心理模型对网络安全意识的影响中的重要性，同时也强调了图形表征的条件影响。

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来源期刊

Computers & Security 工程技术-计算机：信息系统

CiteScore

12.40

自引率

7.10%

发文量

365

审稿时长

10.7 months

期刊介绍： Computers & Security is the most respected technical journal in the IT security field. With its high-profile editorial board and informative regular features and columns, the journal is essential reading for IT security professionals around the world. Computers & Security provides you with a unique blend of leading edge research and sound practical management advice. It is aimed at the professional involved with computer security, audit, control and data integrity in all sectors - industry, commerce and academia. Recognized worldwide as THE primary source of reference for applied research and technical expertise it is your first step to fully secure systems.