Search

In previous research we found that immersion into historical VR is related to empathy and moral orientation (e.g., Frentzel-Beyme & Krämer, 2022a; Frentzel-Beyme & Krämer, 2022b; Frentzel-Beyme & Lewers, 2022). Based on these findings the current investigation aims to examine whether the recipients’ immersion and actual involvement into historical VR (physiological arousal) affects these relations. Furthermore, we ask whether the recipients’ experiences of historical VR support their actual prosocial/moral behavior (e.g., donation behavior). Previous research already indicated that immersion and the experience of empathy are related to an increase in skin conductance response (MacDowell & Mandler, 1989; Eisenberg & Fabes, 1990; Knaust et al., 2022). Therefore, the present investigation aims to investigate based on the Anne Frank House VR application whether the recipients’ immersion into historical VR accompanied by their physiological reactions supports the experience of empathy, content-related moral attitudes (e.g., “No one should be persecuted based on their religion.”) and content-related moral foundations (e.g., harm/care; Frentzel-Beyme & Krämer, 2022b; Tamborini, 2012). We assume that the recipients’ involvement (e.g., immersion, physiological reactions) supports these effects. Therefore, in a first step we compare whether the presentation of the historical content (VR vs. textual) affects the recipients’ immersion (self-reported & physiological reactions) and empathy (towards Anne Frank) assuming that VR leads to a stronger experience of immersion and empathy (e.g., Frentzel-Beyme & Krämer, 2022a). In line with the Model of Intuitive Morality and Exemplification (Tamborini, 2012) we furthermore assume that the exposure to historical VR affects the salience of content-related moral foundations (e.g., harm/care). Building on previous investigations we, furthermore, assume that these effects are supported by the experience of immersion and empathy (e.g., Frentzel-Beyme & Krämer, 2022b). Additionally, we expect that the recipients’ immersion and empathy positively predict content related moral attitudes according to universal ethical principles of Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development (1958; “No one should be persecuted based on their religion.”), prosocial/moral behavioral intention and behavior (e.g., helping; Frentzel-Beyme & Krämer, 2022a).

Engaging people with dementia in the design of technology is increasingly gaining more attention—and rightfully so. Yet to be sensitive and responsive to the variety of participants with dementia in different contexts and phases of a design process can be challenging. In this case-study, we applied retrospective reporting to elicit information on this topic from an experienced designer. The findings show how a designer practices adaptivity in duration, explanations, and approach to access experiences during in-situ evaluation of a technical prototype. Insights from this case show the need for reflecting on the potential impact of adaptivity and discussing in the field how adaptivity should be practiced to add value to the work of designers in dementia care contexts.

This is a preregistration project of a study titled "Autonomic and self-reported emotional responses to computer-mediated tender caress received from partner vs. stranger" by Ipakchian Askari, Harjunen, Haans, Ravaja & IJsselsteijn

This is the pre-print version of the article "An integrative review of the cognitive costs and benefits of note-taking". See the title page for the adaptations of this pre-print version to the final peer-reviewed article published. Please cite the published article in Educational Research Review: Jansen, R. S., Lakens, D., & IJsselsteijn, W. A. (2017). An integrative review of the cognitive costs and benefits of note-taking. Educational Research Review, 22, 223–233. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2017.10.001 Students frequently engage in note-taking to improve the amount of information they remember from lectures. One beneficial effect of note-taking is known as the encoding effect, which refers to deeper processing of information as a consequence of taking notes. This review consists of two parts. In the first part, four lines of research on the encoding effect are summarized. In the second part of this review we distinguish five forms of cognitive load that are induced by note-taking. Cognitive load theory is used to integrate the divergent results in the literature.

Mediated Social Touch (MST) promises interpersonal touch over a distance through haptic or tactile displays. Tests of the efficacy of MST often involve attempts to demonstrate that effects of social touch (e.g., on affective responses or helping behavior) can be replicated with MST. Results, however, have been mixed. One possible explanation is that contextual factors have not sufficiently been taken into account in these experiments. A touch act is accompanied by other verbal and non-verbal expressions, and whom we touch, when, and in what manner is regulated through social and personal norms. Previous research demonstrated, amongst others, effects of gender and the facial expression of the toucher on the recipients’ touch experience. People can use expressions of the toucher’s emotions as a cue to anticipate the meaning of the ensuing social touch. This current study examines whether emotions expressed in text (i.e., textual tone) affects the meaning and experience of MST. As expected we found textual tone to affect both the comfortableness of the touch as well as its perceived meaning. Limitations and implications are discussed.KeywordsMediated social touch Textual tone Affective haptic devices Computer mediated communication Haptic feedback

To facilitate a better understanding of the role of self-control capacity in self-control processes, we examined its variation at intraindividual and interindividual levels, and positioned it in a nomological network with core affect. In two experience sampling studies, 286 university students reported their self-control capacity and core affect for a week. Results revealed larger person-to-person than day-to-day variation in self-control capacity, while its moment-to-moment variation could be weakly modeled as a diurnal pattern. Interindividually, participants with higher self-control capacity were happier and less stressed, but intraindividually higher self-control capacity was mainly associated with higher alertness and energetic arousal. Our results imply that self-control capacity is better conceptualized as a composition of interrelated sub-constructs rather than as a unified resource.

Design and research studies regarding the impact of music on the wellbeing of people living with advanced dementia are ongoing. Many of these focus on reminiscence and the use of familiar songs, music and instruments. However, fewer studies have explored the creative and improvisational aspects of music making with people living with advanced dementia. This project explored the response of people from this group to an innovative gestural electronic instrument—The AirSticks™. The engagement promoted creative musical improvisation and resulted in a highly emotive response from one particular participant, suggesting the creative impulse can be retained.

Multiple researchers and designers have attempted to involve people with dementia in the design research process. This paper tackles the relevance of doing so. It discusses how society can benefit from involvement of people with dementia in the design process. In addition, it looks at how people with dementia experience such involvement (and how relevant it is to them). The paper consists of theoretical reflections complemented with experiences from a case study and an educational module on design and dementia. The paper ends with providing concrete suggestions on how to increase relevance using the agonistic qualities of design and the way participation in design can help to meet unmet needs of people with dementia.

Designing for seniors with dementia is a difficult task, because they are more dependent on the design of the building in order to perform activities of daily life (ADL). The Empathic Design Framework with the four phases (explore, translate, elaborate, and validate) makes it possible to design a suitable building for this target group. Using this framework, developed and translated design principles need to be implemented and tested in order to validate an architectural intervention which stimulates ADL. In the case study presented in this paper, three methods were used to validate the architectural intervention of door decals: performance-based orientation task (M1), fly-on-the-wall observation (M2), and questionnaire-based interview (M3). This paper presents the evaluation of these three methods in order to discover which method or methods suit best the purpose of validating an architectural intervention. In this study, multiple variables were tested; however, it was not possible to test each variable with every method. Based on this case study, we recommend to choose the application of the methods according to the to be tested variables and the type of behavior that needs to be measured: M1 and M2 are more suitable for the measurement of real behavior change of the target group; while M3 suits well if opinions and the level of acceptance need to be measured.

The transition from print to digital media has gone hand in hand with a shift in reading strategies. Internet readers tend to skim, scan and skip, rather than read deeply. This also affects readers of scientific papers. As publishers are experimenting with new online formats, exploring the design of scientific papers is both a timely and relevant issue. This paper addresses this issue, by presenting two explorative studies, a design phase with three alternative designs, and evaluative studies with readers as well as writers of scientific papers. A key insight is that, paradoxically, scientific papers are often considered too long, yet simultaneously lacking in in-depth information. We propose three new formats for scientific papers with the aim of offering users improved control over the depth and amount of information presented. After usability testing with readers and interviews with authors, one format emerged as a potentially viable alternative to PDF.

Students frequently engage in note-taking to improve the amount of information they remember from lectures. One beneficial effect of note-taking is known as the encoding effect, which refers to deeper processing of information as a consequence of taking notes. This review consists of two parts. In the first part, four lines of research on the encoding effect are summarized: 1) manipulation of the lecture material, 2) manipulation of the method of note-taking, 3) the importance of individual differences, and 4) the testing procedure used in the empirical studies. Our review highlights the fragmented nature of the current literature. In the second part of this review we distinguish five forms of cognitive load that are induced by note-taking. Cognitive load theory is used to integrate the divergent results in the literature. We conclude that cognitive load theory provides a useful framework for future theory development and experimental work.

Studies into gestural interfaces - and interfaces in general - typically focus on pragmatic or usability aspects (e.g., ease of use, learnability). Yet the merits of gesture-based interaction likely go beyond the purely pragmatic and impact a broader class of experiences, involving also qualities such as enjoyment, stimulation, and identification. The current study compared gesture-based interaction with device-based interaction, in terms of both their pragmatic and hedonic qualities. Two experiments were performed, one in a near-field context (mouse vs. gestures), and one in a far-field context (Wii vs. gestures). Results show that, whereas device-based interfaces generally scored higher on perceived performance, and the mouse scored higher on pragmatic quality, embodied interfaces (gesture-based interfaces, but also the Wii) scored higher in terms of hedonic quality and fun. A broader perspective on evaluating embodied interaction technologies can inform the design of such technologies and allow designers to tailor them to the appropriate application.

To optimize a player's experience, an emotionally adaptive game continuously adapts its mechanics to the player's emotional state, measured in terms of emotion-data. This paper presents the first of two studies that aim to realize an emotionally adaptive game. It investigates the relations between game mechanics, a player's emotional state and his/her emotion-data. In an experiment, one game mechanic (speed) was manipulated. Emotional state was self-reported in terms of valence, arousal and boredom-frustration-enjoyment. In addition, a number of (mainly physiology-based) emotion-data features were measured. Correlations were found between the valence/arousal reports and the emotion-data features. In addition, seven emotion-data features were found to distinguish between a boring, frustrating and enjoying game mode. Taken together, these features convey sufficient data to create a first version of an emotionally adaptive game.

In this paper we report on a qualitative study, investigating the meaning of digital games in the lives of older adults. Using a combination of semi-structured interviews and observations (n=35) we researched the meaning of digital games from a lifespan perspective, and explored the specific role of playing digital games in a social setting. We conclude that the meaning of these games is derived from the extent to which games are perceived to 1) foster connectedness, 2) cultivate oneself and others, and 3) contribute to society. Finally, we use these findings to formulate design guidelines to facilitate digital gaming experiences that are meaningful with regards to the psycho-social context of this specific demographic. ispartof: pages:84-93 ispartof: ACM International Conference Proceeding Series pages:84-93 ispartof: International Conference on Fun and Games location:Leuven date:15 Sep - 17 Sep 2010 status: published

This paper describes a user and task analysis that was conducted in order to examine the role of therapists in the use of video games in therapy. The results show that video games were used often, but improvements could be made to make them more effective for the therapist. From these results recommendations for video game design were derived. Recommendations include that a therapeutic video game should be easy to startup and configure, should allow the therapist to support a patient during play, and should support the therapist in tracking a patient's performance. ispartof: pages:94-98 ispartof: Fun and Games 2010: Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Fun and Games pages:94-98 ispartof: Fun and Games 2010 location:Leuven date:15 Sep - 17 Sep 2010 status: published

We present in this paper a realistic looking robotic survival challenge simulation. Using a model of the e-puck, an open-source mobile robot designed for educational purposes, our simulation allows several players to program the behaviour of e-pucks competing for food. The simulation was tested and well accepted by a hundred children between 7 and 16 years of age. We think that this type of simulations holds a great pedagogical potential because of their inherent fun.

The surveillance in public and private places, both physically and digitally, is increasing for different reasons. In this paper we intend to discuss surveillance and persuasive technology in an ethical perspective with an eye to its historical and cultural context. In section 1, we present some different tendencies of surveillance in society. In section 2, we elaborate on some important historical ideas on surveillance. In section 3, we consider the use of persuasive technology for surveillance purposes. In section 4, we discuss the development towards increasing surveillance in society, at work, in public places etc. In section 5, we draw up some ethical concerns on surveillance, and finally. In section 6, we discuss the question of a possible need for a public and democratic control of the use of surveillance technology.