Experienced Web users' search behavior: Effects of focus and emotion control

Abstract

This study investigates how users' cognitive and affective characteristics influence the navigational and search behaviors on the Web among experienced Web users. Sixty‐seven undergraduate students participated in the study. Two standardized tests and a questionnaire were used to collect information on the participants' cognitive style, problem‐solving style, and demographics. Factor analysis was performed on the scores from the two standardized tests (Group Embedded Figures Test and Problem Solving Inventory), and extracted two user factors (Focus Control and Emotion Control). The Focus Control factor seemed to influence users' navigational behaviors, such as the use of links and back buttons, whereas the Emotion Control factor affected search behaviors including keyword searching, and also search performance measured by precision and recall.