II.6 Análisis de Datos
II.6.3 Análisis estadístico de datos
As previously discussed the direct application of existing measures and definitions of Mindfulness towards understanding human-computer interaction is not suitable; i.e. holds mystification and ambiguity, focused upon resulting properties intended for a clinical application addressing a broader “life” disposition.
The defining of Mindfulness (and Mindlessness) and its application holds importance for several reasons as noted by Brown and Cordon (though framed in relation to Mindfulness based interventions and behavioural science):
“The first concerns the basic scientific principle that a phenomenon can be studied only if it can be properly defined and measured.
Second, investigation of mindfulness creates opportunities to investigate the specific role of this quality in subjective experience and behavior through methodologies derived from basic science that can complement applied, intervention research.
Third and relatedly, it is assumed that the efficacy of mindfulness interventions is due, in large part, to the enhancement of mindful capacities through training; but only with clear definitions and operationalization’s of mindfulness can this claim be tested.
Fourth, and more fundamentally, the study of mindfulness can help to widen the window into the study of human consciousness and its modes of processing experience. In this way, the study of mindfulness can help to inform about the nature of consciousness, its fundamental role in human functioning, and how its processes can be refined to enhance that functioning.”
(p59, Brown and Cordon, 2009)
To apply the study of Mindfulness and Mindlessness in the context of HCI such phenomena requires a definition that facilitates opportunity to classify and measure such states. Such positioning (as Brown and Cordon (2009)) is here understood as the requirement of a definition that overcomes the ambiguity of Eastern (i.e. Buddhist) framings that mystify such qualities of experience and behaviour, and holds a broader understanding of the state than a focus upon specific desirable
definitions of Mindfulness and Mindlessness with support from the fields and understandings of philosophy of the mind (Chapters 1.5-1.8) and cognitive-sciences (Chapters 1.11-1.12), that such qualities may be better framed through supporting and established understandings. While Brown and Cordon (2009, above) frame the necessities for such understanding in Mindfulness based interventions and behavioural science, the same conditionals are required in the field of human- computer interaction. Thus, the development of the definitions of Mindfulness and Mindlessness (presented in this research) in HCI are not only intended to clarify ambiguity but additionally seek to incorporate (and encourage) further investigation and measurement of such states. In doing so it is hoped that opportunities for investigation of this state (as subjective experience and behaviour) may better facilitate understandings of human-computer interaction that might otherwise be overlooked in favour of a particular quality (e.g. Intuitiveness of a system). Furthermore it is understood that through grounded definition and methods in analysis of Mindful and Mindless states the efficacy of such states may be fully realised and appropriately applied.
As previously described, existing measures and definitions provided initial areas of investigation to understand the concept of Mindfulness and Mindlessness and facilitate the development of definitions (stated below).
The contribution of these definitions are to provide an initial understanding of Mindfulness framed toward interaction that may facilitate further study and measurement of such phenomena. It should be noted that through future work such definitions are open (and expected) to develop to reflect advancements derived from contributing fields of research. The constituting elements that have informed the understandings and provide rational to the definitions are discussed at length in the following sections.
1.3.2: Mindfulness
The following is the contribution of this thesis of how Mindfulness can be defined in relation to human-computer interaction and is justified in the proceeding chapters.
Mindfulness, is defined as a state of broad reflective-conscious awareness upon the present context and content of information and stimulus. Information and technologies are explored and combined through concerted deliberation in novel categorisations of distinctions and action potentials as an abstract-tool.
During interaction Mindfulness is slow yet analytical whilst being receptive to change, whereby constituting elements are consciously present through use and application of a fluidic-tool.
This mental state is understood as an opposite and in flux with Mindlessness.
A pictorial example (designed to be interpreted by the reader) of how we might understand Mindfulness is provided in the following Figure 1.2.
at which conscious reflection occurs develops new understanding that differs from the external stimulus, previous knowledge, and new information.
1.3.3: Mindlessness
The following is the contribution of this thesis of how Mindlessness can be defined in relation to human-computer interaction and is justified in the proceeding chapters.
Mindlessness is defined as an intuitive understanding that exists in non-conscious processes, with failure to account for contextual dependencies through premature cognitive commitments; where information and technologies hold a functional fixedness viewed as absolute through equipmental-fixedness.
During interaction, Mindlessness is without conscious deliberation through sub- conscious automaticity, developed from a cognitive fixation upon previous well- learned solutions. Such actions are performed before, faster than or without concerted conscious awareness in phenomenological invisibility; resulting in the inability to develop novel solutions and the application of technology through equipmental-transparency.
This mental state is understood as an opposite and in flux with Mindfulness.
A pictorial example (designed to be interpreted by the reader) of how we might understand Mindlessness is provided in the following Figure 1.3.
Figure 1.3; Graphical depiction of Mindlessness. Differing colours represent differing knowledges. Solid black lines represent automatic processes of knowledge deduction whereas breaks in these lines represents potential incorporations (i.e. additional knowledges), yet lacking in adoption of thought and knowledge production.