The Importance Of Gender And Facial Information Science On Information Systems Design

Abstract

Facial Information Science is becoming a discipline in its own right, attracting not only computer scientists, but graphic animators and psychologists, all of whom require knowledge to understand how people make and interpret facial expressions. (Zeng, 2009). Computer advancements enhance the ability of researchers to study facial expression. Digitized computer-displayed faces can now be used in studies. Current advancements are facilitating not only the researcher’s ability to accurately display information, but recording the subject’s reaction automatically.   With increasing interest in Artificial Intelligence and man-machine communications, what importance does the gender of the user play in the design of today’s multi-million dollar applications? Does research suggest that men and women respond to the “gender” of computer displayed images differently? Can this knowledge be used effectively to design applications specifically for use by men or women? This research is an attempt to understand these questions while studying whether automatic, or pre-attentive, processing plays a part in the identification of the facial expressions.