Alle Publikationen
2016
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(2016): Communication Networks in Task-Performing Groups. In: Small Group Research 31 (2), S. 131-157. DOI: 10.1177/104649640003100201
Abstract: In an experiment on the emergence of communication networks, 48 groups, each consisting of 4 or 5 members, were randomly assigned to the cells of a 2 (high vs. low time pressure) x 2 (high vs. low task complexity) factorial design and completed a decision-making task. The interpersonal dominance of each member was measured via the Dominance scale of the Personality Research Form (PRF). Results showed that members higher in dominance emerged as more central in the group communication network both sending and receiving more messages than members lower in dominance. Group members correctly perceived that those higher in dominance participated more in discussion. Communication was more centralized in groups that worked on the low complexity task than in groups that worked on the high complexity task Members correctly perceived that participation was more unequally distributed in more centralized groups. An anticipated interaction effect, with time pressure moderating the effect of task complexity was not supported.
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(2016): Norm-based mechanism design. In: Artificial Intelligence 239, S. 97-142. DOI: 10.1016/j.artint.2016.07.001
Abstract: The increasing presence of autonomous (software) systems in open environments in general, and the complex interactions taking place among them in particular, require flexible control and coordination mechanisms to guarantee desirable overall system level properties without limiting the autonomy of the involved systems. In artificial intelligence, and in particular in the multi-agent systems research field, social laws, norms, and sanctions have been widely proposed as flexible means for coordinating the behaviour of autonomous agents in multi-agent settings. Recently, many languages have been proposed to specify and implement norm-based environments where the behaviour of autonomous agents is monitored, evaluated based on norms, and possibly sanctioned if norms are violated. In this paper, we first introduce a formal setting of multi-agent environments based on concurrent game structures which abstracts from concrete specification languages. We extend this formal setting with norms and sanctions, and show how concepts from mechanism design can be used to formally analyse and verify whether a specific behaviour can be enforced (or implemented) if agents follow their subjective preferences. We relate concepts from mechanism design to our setting, where agents' preferences are modelled by linear time temporal logic (LTL) formulae. This proposal bridges the gap between norms and mechanism design allowing us to formally study and analyse the effect of norms and sanctions on the behaviour of rational agents. The proposed machinery can be used to check whether specific norms and sanctions have the designer's expected effect on the rational agents' behaviour or if a set of norms and sanctions that realise the effect exists at all. We investigate the computational complexity of our framework, focusing on its implementation in Nash equilibria and we show that it is located at the second and third level of the polynomial hierarchy. Despite this high complexity, on the positive side, these results are in line with existing complexity results of related problems. Finally, we propose a concrete executable specification language that can be used to implement multi agent environments. We show that the proposed specification language generates specific concurrent game structures and that the abstract multi-agent environment setting can be applied to study and analyse the behaviour of multi-agent programs with and without norms.
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(2016): On Friendship Between Online Equals. In: Philosophy & Technology 29 (1), S. 21-34. DOI: 10.1007/s13347-014-0183-6
Abstract: There is an ongoing debate about the value of virtual friendship. In contrast to previous authorships, this paper argues that virtual friendship can have independent value. It is argued that within an Aristotelian framework, some friendships that are perhaps impossible offline can exist online, i.e., some offline unequals can be online equals and thus form online friendships of independent value.
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(2016): Clarifying Some Misunderstandings about Social Systems and their Mechanisms. In: Philosophy of the Social Sciences 34 (3), S. 371-381. DOI: 10.1177/0048393104266860
Abstract: The goal of this article is to answer some of the criticisms of my views on social science formulated by contributors to the symposium on my philosophy of social science.
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(2016): How Does It Work?. In: Philosophy of the Social Sciences 34 (2), S. 182-210. DOI: 10.1177/0048393103262550
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0048393103262550 Abstract: This article addresses the following problems: What is a mechanism, how canit be discovered, and what is the role of the knowledge of mechanisms in scientific explanation and technological control? The proposed answers are these. A mechanism is one of the processes in a concrete system that makes it what it is— for example, metabolism in cells, interneuronal connections in brains, work in factories and offices, research in laboratories, and litigation in courts of law. Because mechanisms are largely or totally imperceptible, they must be conjectured. Once hypothesized they help explain, because a deep scientific explanation is an answer to a question of the form, “How does it work, that is, what makes it tick—what are its mechanisms?” Thus, by contrast with the subsumption of particulars under a generalization, an explanation proper consists in unveiling some lawful mechanism, as when political stability is explainedby either coercion, public opinion manipulation, or democratic participation. Finding mechanisms satisfies not only the yearning for understanding, but also the need for control.
Keywords: explanation, function, mechanism, philosophy of the social sciences, process, system, systemism -
(2016): The Seven Pillars of Popper's Social Philosophy. In: Philosophy of the Social Sciences 26 (4), S. 528-556. DOI: 10.1177/004839319602600405
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(2016): Why (and how) should we study the interplay between emotional arousal, Theory of Mind, and inhibitory control to understand moral cognition?. In: Psychonomic bulletin & review 23 (6), S. 1660-1680. DOI: 10.3758/s13423-016-1042-5
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/s13423-016-1042-5 Abstract: Findings in the field of experimental psychology and cognitive neuroscience have shed new light on our understanding of the psychological and biological bases of morality. Although a lot of attention has been devoted to understanding the processes that underlie complex moral dilemmas, attempts to represent the way in which individuals generate moral judgments when processing basic harmful actions are rare. Here, we will outline a model of morality which proposes that the evaluation of basic harmful actions relies on complex interactions between emotional arousal, Theory of Mind (ToM) capacities, and inhibitory control resources. This model makes clear predictions regarding the cognitive processes underlying the development of and ability to generate moral judgments. We draw on data from developmental and cognitive psychology, cognitive neuroscience, and psychopathology research to evaluate the model and propose several conceptual and methodological improvements that are needed to further advance our understanding of moral cognition and its development. zitiert von 12
Keywords: Causality, Emotional Control, Emotions, Empathy, Executive Function, Humans, Inhibition (Psychology), Intention Medical Subject Headings (MeSH): Arousal, Kognitionswissenschaften, Moral, Morality, Morals, Neurowissenschaften, Response Inhibition, Social Perception, theory of mind, Thinking -
(2016): Interpersonal Expectations, Expectancy Violations, and Emotional Communication. In: Journal of Language and Social Psychology 12 (1-2), S. 30-48. DOI: 10.1177/0261927X93121003
Abstract: Discusses key concepts and propositions of expectancy violations theory and applies them to emotional communication. It is proposed that emotional experience and expression can be understood according to what experiences and expressions are expected in interpersonal relationships, the extent to which enacted expressions deviate positively or negatively from expectancies, the degree to which other types of expectancy violations engender emotional expressions, and the effects of deviating from entrenched patterns of emotional expression.
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(2016): Application of Expectancy Violations Theory to communication with and judgments about embodied agents during a decision-making task. In: International Journal of Human-Computer Studies 91, S. 24-36. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhcs.2016.02.002
Abstract: Because users treat embodied agents (EAs) as social actors, users hold expectations about human-to-EA communication (HtEAC) similar to those in human-to-human communication. This study extends Expectancy Violations Theory (EVT) to examine how different forms of interfaces that confirm or violate user expectations affect the communication process, social judgments, ability to influence, and accuracy of recall associated with HtEAC. Positive violations of expectancy are acts or characteristics of the EA that are unexpected but evaluated favorably by the human partner. Results suggest that when the EA deviates from expectations, effects on the HtEAC process and related outcomes can be more pronounced. EAs evaluated as positive violations had more favorable effects on task attractiveness than other human or EA interaction partners. As predicted by EVT, EA interactions that were positively evaluated elicited more perceived connectedness, feelings of being understood/receptivity, and dependability than those EA interactions evaluated negatively. However, negative violations did not produce worse outcomes than negative confirmations. EVT offers a useful lens for examining the communication effects of HtEAC and points to benefits of creating EAs that evoke positive violations of expectancy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved)
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(2016): Use of the Social Cognitive Theory to Frame University Students’ Perceptions of Cheating. In: Journal of Academic Ethics 14 (1), S. 49-69. DOI: 10.1007/s10805-015-9252-4
Abstract: The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the perceptions related to ethics and cheating among a representative sample of primarily female undergraduate students, compared to trends reported in the literature. Focus groups were organized to discuss nine scripted questions. Transcripts and audiotapes were analyzed and four main themes emerged: demographics of those who cheat, students' perceptions of cheating, the role of technology in cheating, and consequences of cheating, including students' attitudes and behaviors related to reporting cheating incidents. Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) served as the theoretical framework to understand students' varying perceptions of and justification for cheating, as well as the dynamics of honor code violations, via group discussion. Viewpoints on cheating were regularly discussed and contradictory views were identified related to frequency and justification for cheating. Utilizing the constant comparative method, students mentioned time limitations, and pressure from peers, parents, and professors as reasons to cheat. They also discussed pressures to achieve high grades for acceptance into graduate programs. Students were also reluctant to report their classmates for cheating incidents. Repeated and comprehensive education on ethical behavior is warranted.
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(2016): Does HRD have a moral duty to respond to matters of social injustice?. In: Human Resource Development International 21 (1), S. 3-11. DOI: 10.1080/13678868.2017.1344419
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13678868.2017.1344419 Abstract: The purpose of this article is to question whether or not social injustice should matter to human resource development (HRD). The goal is to invoke a sense of moral agency and responsiveness within the HRD community for having more candid and open conversations about social injustice and the lived experiences of marginalized individuals. In this article, a social justice paradigm will be suggested as a dedicated platform for studying social justice as a necessary outcome of social injustice. Organizational social justice will be introduced as a progressive workplace norm that envisions an equal balance of social justice outcomes for all members in organizations and places of work. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved) zitiert von: 1
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(2016) : The Specification of New Technology to Support Assisted Living (AL) from a Biopsychosocial, Stakeholder Relationship and Ethics Perspective In: Arabnia, Hamid R.; Deligiannidis, Leonidas; Yang, Mary (Hg.): 2016 International Conference on Computational Science and Computational Intelligence: CSCI 2016 : 15-17 December 2016, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA : proceedings: 2016 International Conference on Computational Science and Computational Intelligence (CSCI): Las Vegas, NV, USA: 12/15/2016 - 12/17/2016. International Conference on Computational Science and Computational Intelligence; Csci: Piscataway, NJ: IEEE, S. 1385-1386
Abstract: This paper reports on early stage human factors research undertaken as part of an industry/academia collaboration to advance new assisted living technology for elders aged between 55 and 90 years. It is argued that the provision of person centered assistive living (AL) technology - predicated on (1) biopsychosocial models of well-being, (2) necessary transformations in the social, information and healthcare process relationships between seniors and relevant actors in their personal and professional community and (3), rights based frameworks (ethics), has the potential to improve an older person's life physically, socially and psychologically. The proposed technology will be optimized for different contexts, including private/smart homes, residential/care homes, palliative care and assisted living communities.
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(2016): Affecting Art and Theory. The Politics of Shame and Creative Academic Performance. In: Atlantis - Critical Studies in Gender Culture 37 (2), S. 216-224
Abstract: In this paper, the author explores their experience of integrating art-making into the academic conference presentation. This practice moves beyond the limitations of the traditional presentation by developing a dialogue between content and form. It is also productive in transgressing the norms of white, middle-class academic decorum and transforming shame into pride.
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(2016): Making New “New AI” Friends. Designing a Social Robot for Diabetic Children from an Embodied AI Perspective. In: International Journal of Social Robotics 8 (4), S. 523-537. DOI: 10.1007/s12369-016-0364-9
Abstract: Robin is a cognitively and motivationally autonomous affective robot toddler with "robot diabetes" that we have developed to support perceived self-efficacy and emotional wellbeing in children with diabetes. Robin provides children with positive mastery experiences of diabetes management in a playful but realistic and natural interaction context. Underlying the design of Robin is an "Embodied" (formerly also known as "New") Artificial Intelligence (AI) approach to robotics. In this paper we discuss the rationale behind the design of Robin to meet the needs of our intended end users (both children and medical staff), and how "New AI" provides a suitable approach to developing a friendly companion that fulfills the therapeutic and affective requirements of our end users beyond other approaches commonly used in assistive robotics and child-robot interaction. Finally, we discuss how our approach permitted our robot to interact with and provide suitable experiences of diabetes management to children with very different social interaction styles.
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(2016): Noise and Sound Reconciled. How London Clubs Shaped Conversation into a Social Art. In: Études Épistémè (29). DOI: 10.4000/episteme.1208
Abstract: This essay aims to show how London clubs played a decisive role in the shaping of conversation into a social art. It first examines the evolution of conversation in England both as a cultural concept and as a social practice in the context of the emergence and success of club sociability over the course of the eighteenth century. Conversation was at the heart of urban sociability practices and especially flourished in the London coffee-houses of the end of the seventeenth century. At the same time, conversation was theorized, conceptualized, modeled and discussed in a prolific and varied normative literature. Was the conversation that animated the first coffee-houses of the same nature as the conversation which prevailed in the exclusive circles of the second half of the eighteenth century? This study then points at obvious dissonances between the theory and the practice of conversation within the world of London clubs. While club conversation was a rite of worldly sociability, whose refined principles clubmen were supposed to master, it often sounded far from the smooth and polite prescriptive model it was expected to conform to. To what extent was Samuel Johnson, the founder of The Club and one of the greatest conversationalists of his time, a significant agent in the transformation of conversation into a social art in itself? Finally, this analysis claims that gentlemen's clubs contributed to shape a new model of conversation in England, in which noise and sound could co-exist and the paradoxes inherent in club conversation could be reconciled.
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(2016): ‘Right Taste, Wrong Place’. Local Food Cultures, (Dis)identification and the Formation of Classed Identity. In: Sociology 50 (6), S. 1089-1105. DOI: 10.1177/0038038515593033
Abstract: This article investigates how culinary taste contributes to the formation of middle class identity in a working class context in the UK. We explore practices of food consumption among a group of individuals working at a UK university located in a working class city. We find a rather limited and discrepant cosmopolitanism, in which culinary practices are evaluated in terms of those worth engaging in, and those not worth engaging in, based on their user friendliness' for cosmopolitan middle class dispositions. Depictions of the local food culture as lacking are also dominant, used as a negative ground against which these dispositions are hierarchically formulated. Here middle class culinary tastes seem to be driven by disengagement with the wrong sort of place and a relatively closed alignment with the proper' and the safe' rather than by any open creative individuality.
Keywords: hierarchy, Soziale Klasse / Schicht -
(2016): Towards assessing the human trajectory planning horizon. In: PLoS one 11 (12)
Abstract: Mobile robots are envisioned to cooperate closely with humans and to integrate seamlessly into a shared environment. For locomotion, these environments resemble traversable areas which are shared between multiple agents like humans and robots. The seamless integration of mobile robots into these environments requires accurate predictions of human locomotion. This work considers optimal control and model predictive control approaches for accurate trajectory prediction and proposes to integrate aspects of human behavior to improve their performance. Recently developed models are not able to reproduce accurately trajectories that result from sudden avoidance maneuvers. Particularly, the human locomotion behavior when handling disturbances from other agents poses a problem. The goal of this work is to investigate whether humans alter their trajectory planning horizon, in order to resolve abruptly emerging collision situations. By modeling humans as model predictive controllers, the influence of the planning horizon is investigated in simulations. Based on these results, an experiment is designed to identify, whether humans initiate a change in their locomotion planning behavior while moving in a complex environment. The results support the hypothesis, that humans employ a shorter planning horizon to avoid collisions that are triggered by unexpected disturbances. Observations presented in this work are expected to further improve the generalizability and accuracy of prediction methods based on dynamic models. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved)
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(2016) : Context-dependent social mapping: 2016 IEEE International Conference on Imaging Systems and Techniques (IST): 2016 IEEE International Conference on Imaging Systems and Techniques (IST): Chania, Greece: IEEE, S. 30-35
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/IST.2016.7738193 Abstract: Advanced robotics systems in human frequented environments need to be equipped with avant-garde capabilities, so as to attain a social behavior acceptable by their human proprietors. Therefore, robots should learn and react properly when they share a common domain with humans and adjust their operation according to the activity of the people around. This paper proposes a social mapping method which makes use of 3D maps, action recognition and proxemics theory. In particular, as it moves around, the robot builds a metric map of the surroundings and arranges it in topological graphs. Meanwhile, it can detect any individual existing nearby and capitalizes on a deep learning technique to recognize its action. The recognized actions form the context-dependent social zones which are registered with specific proxemics rules to determine the robot's navigational behavior. The proposed method was assessed with an indoors navigating robot, equipped with an RGB-D sensor. The human and action recognition units showed superior operation rendering the navigation module capable of planning trajectories for the robot to move around humans.
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(2016) : An Empirical Analysis of Algorithmic Pricing on Amazon Marketplace In: Bourdeau, Jacqueline: Proceedings of the 25th International Conference on World Wide Web, Montreal, Canada, May 11 - 15, 2016: the 25th International Conference: Montréal, Québec, Canada: 4/11/2016 - 4/15/2016. International Conference on World Wide Web: Geneva: International World Wide Web Conferences Steering Committee, S. 1339-1349
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(2016): Laughter, Smiling and Their Pragmatic/Interpersonal Functions. An Interactional Linguistic Account. In: CONCENTRIC-STUDIES IN LINGUISTICS 42 (2), S. 135-168
Abstract: Based on 495 minutes of audio-and video-recorded data from television variety shows, this paper intends to illustrate and discuss the pragmatic/interpersonal functions of laughter and smiling from an interactional linguistic perspective. Laughter and smiling are not only expressions of emotion or subconscious responses to stimuli (Van Hooff 1972, Kendon 1975, Ekman & Friesen 1982, Glenn 2003, Holt 2011, Bavelas, Gerwing & Healing 2014, Warner-Garcia 2014). While laughter can show appreciation of another one's humor/teasing, it can also be used as a prompt, indicating that the utterance is laughable, thereby inviting others to join in. Laughter can also be faked, produced by imitating the sound of natural laughter that displays pleasure and happiness. This type of laughter is often used for showing disagreement. Smiling, on the other hand, can be used to politely reject another one's humor/teasing. It can also be used to mark non-verbal sarcasm. Its sarcastic nature results from the listener's attempt at suppressing the desire to mock the current speaker while at the same time showing it in a passive-aggressive manner. Finally, smiling can also be used to show contempt. This type of smiling is produced by slightly raising one corner of the mouth and is characterized by looking somebody up and down, accompanied by different forms of verbal aggression and hand gestures.
Keywords: time -
(2016): A cross-cultural comparative analysis of small group collaboration using mobile twitter. In: Computers in Human Behavior 65, S. 308-318. DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2016.08.043
Abstract: This study was undertaken to determine the distinctive user behaviors and patterns of participants communicating using Twitter on a mobile device in a small-group collaborative setting. Participants were from Western and Eastern cultures (the United States and Korea). Tweets were coded and classified and the results analyzed. Several cultural dimensions were utilized to detect subtle differences between participants from these two different cultures in their dynamic mobile exchanges. Systematic differences in microblogging behaviors were found mostly in the direction predicted by the findings of previous studies on differences in national culture; however, we also report new and interesting findings that contribute to the knowledge base. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of our findings and how this mobile communication information technology can be leveraged to the advantage of individuals and organizations.
Keywords: Art des Kommunikationsmediums, Disziplin, East-West divide, Informations- & Kommunikationstechnik, Interaktion, Kultur, Kultursensibilität, Kulturspezifizität, Kulturtheorie, Mensch-Technik-Relationen (MTR), microblogging behaviours, mobile communication technology, national culture, Realtechnik, Technik, Twitter, user behaviour -
(2016): Positive and Negative Ageism. In: Affilia 31 (2), S. 207-218. DOI: 10.1177/0886109915595839
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0886109915595839 Abstract: Addressing social injustice is an integral aspect to social work; however, the challenge lies in the fact that society is stratified by sociodemographic characteristics creating power and privilege for some and oppression for many. Understanding how biases that support this social structure are interrelated further elucidates the systemic nature of biases. This study examined the extent to which sexist beliefs would help explain ageism. Results indicated that benevolent sexism was associated with positive ageism, and hostile sexism helped explain negative ageism. These findings contribute to theory development on interlocking prejudices and inform pedagogical approaches that help address biases. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved)
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(2016): Intelligent emotion and behavior based on topological consciousness and adaptive resonance theory in a companion robot. In: Biologically Inspired Cognitive Architectures 18, S. 51-67. DOI: 10.1016/j.bica.2016.09.004
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bica.2016.09.004 Abstract: Companion or ‘pet’ robots can be expected to be an important part of a future in which robots contribute to our lives in many ways. An understanding of emotional interactions would be essential to such robots’ behavior. To improve the cognitive and behavior systems of such robots, we propose the use of an artificial topological consciousness that uses a synthetic neurotransmitter and motivation, including a biologically inspired emotion system. A fundamental aspect of a companion robot is a cross-communication system that enables natural interactions between humans and the robot. This paper focuses on three points in the development of our proposed framework: (1) the organization of the behavior including inside-state emotion regarding the phylogenetic consciousness-based architecture; (2) a method whereby the robot can have empathy toward its human user’s expressions of emotion; and (3) a method that enables the robot to select a facial expression in response to the human user, providing instant human-like ‘emotion’ and based on emotional intelligence (EI) that uses a biologically inspired topological online method to express, for example, encouragement or being delighted. We also demonstrate the performance of the artificial consciousness based on the complexity level and a robot’s social expressions that are designed to enhance the users affinity with the robot.
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(2016): Surfing uncertainty. Prediction, action, and the embodied mind. Oxford; New York; Auckland: Oxford University Press
Abstract: How is it that thoroughly physical material beings such as ourselves can think, dream, feel, create and understand ideas, theories and concepts? How does mere matter give rise to all these non-material mental states, including consciousness itself? An answer to this central question of our existence is emerging at the busy intersection of neuroscience, psychology, artificial intelligence, and robotics. In this groundbreaking work, philosopher and cognitive scientist Andy Clark explores exciting new theories from these fields that reveal minds like ours to be prediction machines - devices that have evolved to anticipate the incoming streams of sensory stimulation before they arrive. These predictions then initiate actions that structure our worlds and alter the very things we need to engage and predict. Clark takes us on a journey in discovering the circular causal flows and the self-structuring of the environment that define "the predictive brain." What emerges is a bold, new, cutting-edge vision that reveals the brain as our driving force in the daily surf through the waves of sensory stimulation.
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(2016): Humans, robots and values. In: Technology in Society 45, S. 19-28. DOI: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2016.01.002
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2016.01.002 Abstract: From the 1950s onwards the threat automation posed to human labour became a persistent theme in popular science fiction [26,1]. Authors explored what it meant to be human, by contrasting us with hypothetical robots. Such robots were generally seen as coming into existence centuries into the future. In the last decade the rate of progress in robotics has accelerated way beyond popular expectation. The timescales of Asimov and Dick look generous, whereas the dystopian near future of 'Player Piano' [71] seems grimly real. This anxiety is not limited to novelists. Even Stephen Hawkins told the BBC:. "The development of full artificial intelligence could spell the end of the human race." [11].Robotics is made possible by advances in mechanical engineering but, above all, by informatics. In this essay we look at how ideas derived from informatics allow us a more precise view of what differentiates us from robots and, on the other hand, how information science can give us a deeper insight into the nature of human labour. Having gained this understanding, we can go on to examine what sort of threat robots really pose to us, as humans.