Cyclic interaction: a unitary approach to intention, action and the environment

Journal/Book: Cognition. 1998; 68: PO Box 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands. Elsevier Science BV. 95-110.

Abstract: The history of psychological explanation in human-computer interaction (HCI) is reviewed in order to illustrate the notion of cyclic interaction. The claim made is that much real behaviour is usefully thought of as a continuous process of cyclic interaction with the environment. According to this account action leads to changes to the state of the world, these are evaluated with respect to, and in a manner conditioned by, the user's current goals. This evaluation leads to the reformulation of goals and further action, this action leads to a new state of the environment, and so on. Cyclic interaction is contrasted with the more commonly adopted view of cognition that may be caricatured as a 'one-shot comprehension' where perception and recognition lead to action but the role of goals and the effects of action on the environment are not primary concerns. It is argued that a change of emphasis in cognitive research is required to make good these omissions, with new kinds of experimental paradigm and new ways of modelling behaviour.

Note: Article Monk A, Univ York, Dept Psychol, York YO1 5DD, N Yorkshire, ENGLAND

Keyword(s): human-computer interaction; cyclic interaction; USER COMPLEXITY

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