Journalartikel - Artikel | | Peer reviewed Open Access

Public attitudes towards neurotechnology: Findings from two experiments concerning Brain Stimulation Devices (BSDs) and Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs)

Autor(en)
Sattler, Sebastian ; Pietralla, Dana
Normierter Zeitschriftentitel
PLOS ONE 
DOI
10.1371/journal.pone.0275454
PubMed-ID
36350815
URN
urn:nbn:de:0070-pub-29669136
URL
https://pub.uni-bielefeld.de/record/2966913
Web of Science-ID
000924711500011

This study contributes to the emerging literature on public perceptions ofneurotechnological devices(NTDs) in their medical and non-medical applications, depending on their invasiveness, framing effects, and interindividual differences related to personal needs and values. We conducted two web-based between-subject experiments (2×2×2) using a representative, nation-wide sample of the adult population in Germany. Using vignettes describing how two NTDs, brain stimulation devices (BSDs;NExperiment 1= 1,090) and brain-computer interfaces (BCIs;NExperiment 2= 1,089), function, we randomly varied the purpose (treatment vs. enhancement) and invasiveness (noninvasive vs. invasive) of theNTD, and assessed framing effects (variable order of assessing moral acceptability first vs. willingness to use first). We found a moderate moral acceptance and willingness to use BSDs and BCIs. Respondents preferred treatment over enhancement purposes and noninvasive over invasive devices. We also found a framing effect and explored the role of personal characteristics as indicators of personal needs and values (e.g., stress, religiosity, and gender). Our results suggest that the future demand for BSDs or BCIs may depend on the purpose, invasiveness, and personal needs and values. These insights can inform technology developers about the public’s needs and concerns, and enrich legal and ethical debates.

Zitierstile

Download
 RDF/XML-Format
 JSON-LD-Format
 Turtle-Format
 N3-Format