Social Acceptability in Context: Stereotypical Perception of Shape, Body Location, and Usage of Wearable Devices.

Assessing social acceptability is vital when designing body-worn mobile devices. Previous research found evidence that using stereotyping content model (SCM) mobile devices can systematically predict ratings of the warmth and competence of their wearers. However, it is currently unknown if other contextual dimensions of mobile device usage can also systematically affect those ratings. In two studies, we investigate if and how shape and body location of a body-worn mobile device as well as the activity in which the device is being used can systematically influence stereotypical ratings. Our results suggest that this is evident in some but not all cases. We conclude that people further differentiate between the placement of the device, particularly devices in the user’s hand, and during an activity in which the device can contextually be misused. This indicates that users further differentiate the context and that more contexual information is helpful while operationalizing the SCM as a measure for social acceptability.