Activity theory: The user as a competent actor

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Activity theory The user as a competent actor

• Daniel Pargman
• Computer and systems sciences, Uppsala University
  (1987-1992)
  
• Dept. of Communication Studies, Linköping
  University (1995-2000)
  
• HCI specialist, Carlstedt Research Technology,
  CRT

Ph.D. Thesis Code begets community On social a
nd technical aspects of managing a virtual
community
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Daniel and Activity theory

• Ph.D. Course with Yrjö Engeström in Linköping
  1996. Result confusion.
  
• Five (5) years of thinking and struggle with
  activity theory. Result avoided to use activity
  theory in my Ph.D. thesis.
  
• Ph.D. Course with Yrjö Engeström in Ronneby 2000.
  Result much less confusion.

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The basic mediational triangle

• The basic mediational triangle from
  cultural-historical psychology (Russia, 20s and
  30s)
  
• Tools are both physical/technical tools and
  psychological/mental tools (Vygotsky).

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Cultural-historical (socio-cultural) psychology

• Social, cultural, historical and institutional
  factors play large role in human cognition and
  communication
  
• All higher mental functions have a social origin
  (Vygotsky).
  
• Action (both social and individual), can not be
  separated from the social, cultural, historical
  and institutional context in which it is carried
  out

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From cultural-historical psychology to activity
theory

• From individuals to collective activities/activity
  systems (Leontiev, 1930s)
  
• From theories of collective activities (Leontiev)
  to Developmental Work Research, i.e. studies of
  concrete work activities (Engeström)
  
• From text to graphics (Engeström)
• From verbose to minimalist structure (Engeström)

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Activity theory in context
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The general structure of the animal form of
activity
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Mediation between subject and object
The relation between the subject and the objects
is regulated/mediated by tools
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Mediation between subject and community
The relation between the subject and the
community is regulated/mediated by rules
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Mediation between community and object
The relation between the community and the object
is regulated/mediated by a division of labor
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The structure of human activity (Engeström 1987)
Unit of analysis activity
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Terms

• Subject the individual/subgroup chosen as the
  point of view in the analysis.
  
• Tools physical or psychological.
• Community individuals/subgroups who share the
  same general object.
  
• Division of labor division of tasks between
  members of the community.
  
• Rules explicit/implicit regulations, norms,
  conventions that constrains action/interaction
  
• Object the raw material or problem space at
  which the activity is directed and which is
  molded or transformed into outcomes

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Contradictions, tensions, conflicts, breakdowns
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Contradictions, tensions, conflicts, breakdowns

• Primary contradictions are dilemmas within
  components of the activity system.
  
• Secondary contradictions are dilemmas between
  components of the activity system.
  
• Tertiary contradictions are dilemmas between
  different activity system.
  

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Contradictions, tensions, conflicts, breakdowns

• When a strong novel factor is injected into
  one of the components and it thus acquires a new
  quality, pressing secondary contradictions appear
  between that component and some other components
  of the system. For example, when new types of
  patients begin to enter a medical activity
  system, the doctors material and conceptual
  tools for diagnosis and treatment may become
  inadequate
• Engeström, 1993, p.72

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Contradictions, tensions, conflicts, breakdowns

• Indicators of problems within activity
  systems.
  
• However, only when problems make themselves known
  that are they possible to treat.
  
• Only by innovative solutions to surfacing
  systematic problems can an activity develop.
  

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Managing a virtual community as an activity system
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The user as a competent actor

• AT/DWR analyzes structural factors
• Thus, users are always competent and problems
  are never the fault of users.
  
• Problems instead depend on other factors, like
  systemic contradictions or mismatches between
  objects and artifacts etc.
  
• Problems that appear contain possibilities for
  their own solution.