Interpersonal connectedness: conceptualization and directions for a measurement instrument

ABSTRACT

Interpersonal connectedness is the sense of belonging based on the appraisal of having sufficient close social contacts. This feeling is regarded as one of the major outcomes of successful (mediated) social interaction and as such an important construct for HCI. However, the exact nature of this feeling, how to achieve it, and how to assess it remain unexplored to date. In the current paper we start the theoretical conceptualization of this phenomenon by exploring its basic origins in psychological literature and simultaneously formulate requirements for a measurement instrument to be developed in the service of exploring and testing CMC applications, in particular awareness technologies.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  J. Computer Applications
  J.4 SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES
      Subjects: Psychology

Additional Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.4 INFORMATION SYSTEMS APPLICATIONS
      H.4.3 Communications Applications
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)
      H.5.2 User Interfaces (D.2.2, H.1.2, I.3.6)

General Terms:
Measurement, Theory

Keywords:
awareness systems, belonging, connectedness, measurement