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The Functions of Computer-Mediated Touch at a Distance: An Interactionist Approach

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Proceedings of the 21st Congress of the International Ergonomics Association (IEA 2021) (IEA 2021)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems ((LNNS,volume 223))

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Abstract

Touch is essential in our relationships and social interactions. Our study aims at understanding the functions of touch as they are co-constructed in computer-mediated interaction. We observed three couples interacting during one hour at distance with a simple touch device. On the basis of an interactionist approach, we identified correspondences between touch occurrences and (a) the structure of the dialogue and (b) the emotional tonalities of the interaction. Our results highlight three types of functions of touch: interaction management (e.g., turn taking), emotional communication (e.g., emphasis) and behavioural touches (e.g., mimicry).

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Correspondence to Robin Héron .

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Héron, R., Safin, S., Baker, M., Détienne, F. (2022). The Functions of Computer-Mediated Touch at a Distance: An Interactionist Approach. In: Black, N.L., Neumann, W.P., Noy, I. (eds) Proceedings of the 21st Congress of the International Ergonomics Association (IEA 2021). IEA 2021. Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, vol 223. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-74614-8_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-74614-8_6

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-74613-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-74614-8

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