Interpersonal interruptibility: A framework and research program

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

12-8-2008

Abstract

To date, research exploring interpersonal technology-mediated interruptions has focused on understanding how knowledge of an "interruptee's-local- context" can be utilized to reduce unwanted intrusions. However, the value of everyday interruptions are strongly tied to interrupter-interruptee relationships, interrupter's context and interruption content that we refer to as the 'relational context'. This suggests that a fresh approach to interruptibility research is needed that focuses on understanding how the knowledge of this relational context can be used to improve interruption management decisions. To address this concern a theoretical framework and associated research program are presented. The validity of fundamental aspects of this framework is then demonstrated through a study of cell phone call handling decisions. It shows that "who" is calling is used most of the time (87.4%) by individuals to make call handling decisions (N=834) unlike the interruptee's current local social (34.9%) or cognitive (43%) contexts. In addition, a clear disconnect was shown between the influence of local interrupee-context and relational context in terms of call handling decisions, suggesting that interruption management systems that focus only on an interruptee's-local-context will be ineffective. An alternative design approach is described to address these short comings.

Identifier

57049186388 (Scopus)

Publication Title

Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems Proceedings

External Full Text Location

https://doi.org/10.1145/1358628.1358732

First Page

2633

Last Page

2636

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