Psychologically augmented social interaction over networks

Objective

Ever more frequently, social and particularly group interactions, involve mediated communication. Yet we know very little about the factors determining the effectiveness of the interaction. How do participants in mediated communication substitute the implicit, and non verbal signals which play such an important role in traditional, face to face communication? What are the equivalent signals in a mediated environment? The mechanisms involved in traditional communication are well-known.

By contrast, very little is known about the forms of mediated communication. For instance, we do not know the role of implicit and non-verbal communication when the communication takes place in a mediated environment. PASION's working hypothesis is that in mediated environments these messages will take completely new forms and that these forms are due to group interactions in technology-mediated environments. As current communication technologies are ineffective in conveying the social, non-verbal and contextual information required for effective communication, PASION will deliver an innovative shared virtual environment where a pioneering mediated social communication will take place.

During trials PASION will be used by 'large community of mobile users' providing strategic support to the activity of the group (adapted to the needs of specific applications in collaborative work and social gaming) by implementing 'specific feedback strategies' based on the interpretation of the state and dynamics of social communication within the group. In the four years of the project, PASION will investigate the basic scientific and technological issues which need to be resolved to achieve this goal.

Basic research will investigate the socio-psychological foundations of mediated social interaction. Wizard-of-Oz prototypes will be used to elicit user input on basic concepts. The project will design and develop new techniques to capture information relevant to social communication.

Programme(s)

• FP6-IST - Information Society Technologies: thematic priority under the specific programme "Integrating and strengthening the European research area" (2002-2006).

Topic(s)

• IST-2004-2.3.4 - FET Proactive Initiatives

Funding Scheme

IP - Integrated Project

Coordinator

TELECOM ITALIA SPA

Address

Piazza Degli Affari 2
20123 Milano
Italy

Participants (17)

CENTRE FOR RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY HELLAS

Greece

Address

6Th Km Charilaou-thermi Road
Thermi-thessaloniki

CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE

France

Address

3, Rue Michel-ange
Paris Cedex 16

HELSINGIN KAUPPAKORKEAKOULU

Finland

Address

Runeberginkatu 14-16
00101 Helsinki

ISTITUTO AUXOLOGICO ITALIANO

Italy

Address

Via L. Ariosto 13
20145 Milano

MEDIASCORE GESELLSCHAFT FUER MEDIEN- UND KOMMUNIKATIONSFORSCHUNG MBH

Germany

Address

Von-werth-strasse 17
50670 Koeln

SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT

Germany

Address

Wittelsbacherplatz 2
80333 Muenchen

TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITEIT EINDHOVEN

Netherlands

Address

Den Dolech 2
5612 AZ Eindhoven

TEKNILLINEN KORKEAKOULU

Finland

Address

Otakaari 1
02015 Espoo

UNIVERSIDAD POLITECNICA DE VALENCIA

UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI PADOVA

Italy

Address

Via Viii Febbraio 2
35122 Padova (Pd)

UNIVERSITAET BIELEFELD

Germany

Address

Universitaetsstrasse 25
100131 Bielefeld

UNIVERSITAET ZU KOELN

Germany

Address

Albertus-magnus-platz -
Koeln

UNIVERSITAT JAUME I DE CASTELLON

Spain

Address

Avenida Vicent Sos Baynat S/n
Castellon De La Plana

UNIVERSITE D'AIX-MARSEILLE II

France

Address

Bd Charles Livon 58-Le Pharo. Jardin E. Duclaux
13284 Marseille

UNIVERSITY OF LINCOLN

United Kingdom

Address

Brayford Pool
LN6 7TS Lincoln

UNIVERSITY OF LONDON GOLDSMITHS COLLEGE

United Kingdom

Address

New Cross
SE14 6NW London

XIWRITE DI WALKER JOHN RICHARD E C. S.A.S.

Italy

Address

Via Maffeo Pantaleoni 3
00044 Frascati