1. Augmenting Human Compassion
via Digital Media
Stage One of a Grounded Theory Approach
By Christine Rosakranse for RPI - COMM:Digital Rhetoric
Monday, November 2, 2009
2. Problems in Current Literature
Definition for compassion describes a semantic range of
possibilities including awareness (purely knowledge), an
emotion, or a feeling .
Examples where the ambiguous language is most obvious
include the chapter on The Nature of Compassion in the book
Emotional Awareness, which is a conversation
between the Dalai Lama and Paul Ekman.
Monday, November 2, 2009
4. Applicable Theories
The Grounded Theory approach with selective coding will provide the basis for
the experimental design.
The elements of engagement can be classified into the following categories:
•perceptual/cognitive
•physiological
•conscious or reflective interaction
•emergent/transcendent
Qualitative methods, such as open-ended questions, will be included to identify
possible ideographic causal processes that lead to compassion development.
Monday, November 2, 2009
6. Stimuli
Ex 1. Fractal manipulation: Epimorphism by Gene Shuman,
vibrant high precision simulated video feedback. Method of
interaction: a fractal is projected on the 4 x 6 ft screen. The
user uses a midi controller (slide interface) to alter variables
in the algorithm, frequency, and color scheme of the
projected fractal.
Ex 2. “Platforms” by the Aphrodite Project, http://
theaphroditeproject.tv/saftey/
Monday, November 2, 2009
7. Testing
Along with open-ended questions, the participants will be
asked to fill out a questionnaire that attempts to cover each
of the types of engagement:
Ex. Level of Perceived Engagement:
Monday, November 2, 2009
8. Post-Processing
With this approach we will use observational analysis to create conceptual
categories to define types of interaction with digital media as a first step to
gradually refine and reevaluate these connections in a more formalized research
setting.
This will provide the basis for a CHI short paper (extended abstract).
Future research includes testing the change in levels of compassion of those
exposed to Interactive Digital Media over time (designed with the results from this
research in mind).
Monday, November 2, 2009
9. References
Brave, S., & Nass, C. (2007). Emotion in human-computer interaction. In Sears, A. & Jacko, J (Eds.). The Human-Computer Interaction
Handbook: Fundamentals, Evolving Technologies and Emerging Applications, 2nd Edition. (pp. 77-92). Lawrence Erlbaum
Buckner, Barbara. "Healing Interactions and Interactive Digital Art - News and Project Statement". Afterimage. FindArticles.com. 02 Oct,
2009. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2479/is_3_29/ai_80757497/
Crawford, John R. and Julie D. Henry (2004). The Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS): Construct validity, measurement
properties and normative data in a large non-clinical sample. British Journal of Clinical Psychology (2004), 43, 245–265. (http://
www.abdn.ac.uk/~psy086/dept/pdfs/BJCP_2004_PANAS.pdf)
Ekman, Paul, ed. (2008) Emotional Awareness: overcoming the obstacles to psychological balance and compassion: a conversation
between the Dalai Lama and Paul Ekman. Henry Holt and Company: New York. pgs. 139-184.
Fledman Barrett, L. & Russell. (1999). The structure of current affect: Controversies and emerging consensus. Current Directions in
Psychological Science, 8(1), 10-14.
Lutz A, Brefczynski-Lewis J, Johnstone T, Davidson RJ (2008) Regulation of the Neural Circuitry of Emotion by Compassion Meditation:
Effects of Meditative Expertise. PLoS ONE 3(3): e1897. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0001897
Monday, November 2, 2009
