[HCI] Activity Theory

Principle of Activity Theory

• consciousness and activity의 구성단위
  • Consciousness == human mind
  • Activity == human interaction with the objective reality
• Object-orientedness
• Hierarchical structure of activity
  • activities are oriented to motives.
  • actions for goals which are realized through operations(condition)
  • 사람들은 다른 상황에서 다르게 행동한다.
• Internalization-externalization
  어떤 상태를 내 스스로 해석해서 내재화/표출
• Mediation
  • human activity is mediated by a number of tools(external and internal)
• Development
  • 현상을 이해하는 것은 어떻게 존재하는 형태로 발전시킬지를 아는 것을 의미한다.

What is Activity?

• Purposeful interaction : 목적이 있는 interaction
• Socially and culturally determined
• Fulfil motives
• Hierarchy of activity
  • Goal(intentional)
  • Task(intentional)
  • Operation(automatic)
• need-based agency을 가지고 subjects of activities이다.
• Activities와 their subjects mutually determine
• subject와 object의 특성에 영향을 받는다.

Activity as the Unit of Analysis

• Subject + Object + (Mediating) Tools + (Sociocultural) Rules
  
• Activity theory is truly human centered

Hierarchichal levels of Activity

Agency

• Actor-Network Theory concept
• Asymmetry of agency
  • 인간은 정보처리 entities다.
  • 인간은 욕구를 가진다.
  • Objects do not have agency.
  • object provides motives

The Triangulation of Activity Theory

Eight-Step Model: Mwanza & Engestrom

1. Activity of interest
   What sort of activity am I interested in?
2. Objective
   Why is the activity taking place?
3. Subjects
   Who is involved in carryin out this activity?
4. Tools(Instruments)
   By what means are the subjects performing this activity?
5. Rules and regulations
   Are there any cultural norms, rules, or regulations governing the performance of activity?
6. Division of labor
   Who is iresponsible for what, when carrying out activity, and how are the rules organized?
7. Community
   What is the environment in which this activity is carrying out?
8. Outcome
   What is the desired outcome from carrying out this activity?