Measuring appeal in human computer interaction: A cognitive neuroscience-based approach

Abstract

Appeal refers to the positive emotional response to an aesthetic, beautiful, or in another way desirable stimulus. It is a recurring topic in information systems (IS) research, and is important for understanding many phenomena of user behavior and decision-making. While past IS research on appeal has relied predominantly on subjective self-rating scales, this research-in-progress paper proposes complementary objective measurement for appeal. We start by reviewing the linkages between the theoretical constructs related to appeal and their neurophysiological correlates. We then review past approaches to measuring appeal and discuss their characteristics. Finally, we arrive at a recommendation that builds on a combination of psychophysiology (EDA, facial EMG) and brain imaging (fNIRS).