Béatrice Cahour

Interactive frames constructed in Second Life meetings: a study in educational and professional settings

Based on the analysis of “real” Second Life meetings data, in educational and professional settings, our objective is to understand the actual uses of this kind of Virtual World and more particularly, the interactive frames constructed in SL meetings and their interrelation with uses of communication media. The originality of our analytical framework stems from the combination of two perspectives: a third view perspective based on analyses of observational data and a first view perspective based on users’ reports on their experience in SL. Our results highlight: boundaries between serious and recreational registers; avatar’s expression and attribution of feelings to the person “behind”; spatial positioning as indicators and constructors of roles and engagement; management of communication fluidity and joint focus; narrowing of communication media used for task focus content; emerging mediation role for management of fractured exchanges.

Cooperation and cooperator modeling

In this text, we argue that user modeling and system modeling should be taken into account at the same time to allow cooperativity: they are two sides of a same interaction. We focus on interlocutor modeling (the human-human homonym of user modeling) and develop three situations where interlocutor modeling is crucial: when there is a need of transforming the beliefs of the cooperator (when there is a knowledge gap or a resistance), when the interpretation of the cooperators communication act is ambiguous and relies on implicit meaning, and when there is a specific need need of anticipating the others understanding (in risky or irreversible situations).

Using an electric car: a situated, instrumented and emotional activity

Motivation -- The objective of the study was to specify how drivers deal with the autonomy of their car, be it traditional or electric, how they plan the recharge and how they check it while driving. Research approach -- For the first part of the study on traditional cars use, we conducted 14 in-depth interviews and 344 questionnaires were filled. For the second part of the study on electric cars use, we lend an electric car to 9 subjects during two weeks; they filled a diary and videotaped the interesting events during the driving activity. Then they had 3 self-confrontation interviews to document their lived experience, based on the video and on the diaries. Findings/Design -- People may have various emotional relations to the risk of breakdown, and it influences their activity and how they deal with the risky situations, especially in terms of anticipative conduct, reflexive instruments interpretation and avoidance. Research limitations -- Qualitative study of VE use with 9 subjects Originality/Value -- The research highlights the link between cognitive and affective aspects of situated activities. Take away message -- the management of a risk depends on the affective relation to this risk, on the degree of uncertainty and on the instruments available to cope with it.

Reflection processes in energy regulation situations assisted with reflective tools

We outline in this paper the way we consider the process of reflection based on reflective tools: long or short processes, triggered by interpretation and emotions, and not separated from action. This perspective is linked to a specific methodology investigating the lived experience of the users and their biography. Some examples from energy regulation situations are developed.

Psychological comfort and discomfort in transport modes

Since a decade in ergonomics, comfort has been increasingly investigated with a focus on its psychological dimensions, based on the idea that comfort is an enjoyable, pleasant and relaxed psychological state felt by a person who is interacting with its surroundings. In contrast, discomfort is a tense and unpleasant state linked to negative emotions and sensations. We examine the various factors related to psychological comfort and discomfort experienced by users in different transport modes situations. From the literature we identified the following sources of comfort/discomfort: social relationship, safe/unsafe feeling, variable time control, attentional charge and possible multiactivity, need for control and social image. Our research question is twofold. On one hand, we want to specify situations of comfort/discomfort experienced by users. On the other hand, we aim at developing projective techniques to help users in anticipating the comfort/discomfort experience as well as their adhesion and reticence to change towards innovative ecological-friendly modes.

The Guided Imaginary Projection, a New Methodology for Prospective Ergonomics

We tested a new methodology called “guided imaginary projection” (GIP) to support people in projecting themselves into the use of emergent services, in order to gather information about their probable subjective experience with the future service. For the purpose of the study, the targeted service was ‘dynamic’ carpooling, a mobility service geolocated for short distance and immediate travel, still rarely used. We aimed to collect information about the sources of comfort and discomfort imagined by non-users. 24 interviews were conducted to evaluate the method. The population was divided in two groups, the projection group and the non-projection group. Our hypothesis is that if the projection group had a more complete projected form of experience of the service, this group should produce more elements about the sources of comfort and discomfort of the dynamic carpooling compared to others. The results indicate that the projection group’s interviews lasted significantly longer and contained significantly more elements of comfort and discomfort than the non-projection group. We also analysed the types of discourse used during the GIP to evaluate the degree of projection: imaginary-embodied, imaginary-analytical, or general discourse. At the end we discuss the results, limits and perspectives.

Overload of Technological Connections for Communicating at Work

Connection has become an essential component of work. It appears to be an essential resource for efficiency and rapidity, as well as for accessibility and transmission of information. However, it may have harmful effects on individuals, teams or organizations because of its continuous nature. Our study aims to characterize factors that may contribute to a positive or a negative experience related to this connection at work by managers, and ways of having such factors taken into account by the organization. Our long term aim is to help the organization to find solutions to improve the situation. We put together a questionnaire about practices, uses and feelings related to connection and about potential effects on health in a large French company, and we also conducted in-depth interviews. The analyses focus on the individuals’ connection practices and on their feelings about them in specific situations. We also analyzed the existing individual, collective, and institutional strategies used for regulating the connection process. The analyses of the questionnaires indicate the proportion of managers who experience difficulties related to their connections, the nature of the troubles evoked and their impacts on work activities and on life. The interviews allow us to go deeper into contextual elements and their feelings about these practices. The connection experience depends on ICT characteristics, experience of connection, team dynamics and psychological factors. Our analyses have shown, among others things, the role of working together as a team and how the team could regulate connection overload where neither the individuals nor the institution can succeed.

A Psycho-Ergonomic Approach of the Street-Crossing Decision-Making: Toward Pedestrians’ Interactions with Automated Vehicles

A confident interaction between pedestrians and automated vehicles will be a milestone in the acceptability of the use of these new vehicles. The automated vehicle should be able to offer the pedestrian a safe and non-uncertain street-crossing situation. The aim of the study was to perform an analysis of the activity of street-crossing, focusing on the decision-making in a natural environment.

Analysing online social support between professionals

Online forum give people new opportunities to interact with each other. It is a new mean of coping with problems at work. This paper reports an investigation of interaction structures within two forums on the web (general and specialized), examining different ways to expose a problem and different manifestations of social support. Results reveal two structures: << centralized >> and << distributed >>. Authors of discussions may use different processes, using more or less expressions of their emotions. Helpers can show their support by sharing similar experiences, or providing opinion-advice and opinion-analysis on the situation or the solution, with or without emotional support. The analytical method was tested on seven conversations and it will be extended to further conversations. This research will contribute to propose recommendations to improve social support forums for professionals and to know if this type of support is satisfying for the participants.