R. Cooper Smitherman

Papers

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About

R. Cooper Smitherman investigates the intersection of human-automation interaction and trust, with a focus on how individuals evaluate and rely on autonomous systems. Their most-cited work, "Convergence Across Behavioral and Self-report Measures Evaluating Individuals' Trust in an Autonomous Golf Cart" (2022, 6 citations), makes a foundational contribution by demonstrating that behavioral and self-report measures of trust can align in real-world settings—a critical step for validating trust assessment tools. This research bridges gaps between subjective perceptions and observable actions, offering practical insights for designing trustworthy automation in domains ranging from military operations to healthcare and consumer technologies. Smitherman’s work underscores the importance of trust as a predictor of user acceptance and system effectiveness, advancing both theoretical frameworks and applied methodologies. By focusing on tangible, everyday contexts like autonomous vehicles, their studies provide accessible yet rigorous evidence for engineers and policymakers. As automation becomes increasingly prevalent, Smitherman’s contributions help ensure that these systems are not only functional but also trusted and adopted by their users.