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Positive Computing: Technology for Wellbeing and Human Potential
Abstract
A case for building a digital environment that can make us happier and healthier, not just more productive, and a theoretical framework for doing so. On the eve of Google's IPO in 2004, Larry Page and Sergey Brin vowed not to be evil. Today, a growing number of technologists would go further, trying to ensure that their work actively improves people's lives. Technology, so pervasive and ubiquitous, has the capacity to increase stress and suffering; but it also has the less-heralded potential to improve the well-being of individuals, society, and the planet. In this book, Rafael Calvo and Dorian Peters investigate what they term “positive computing”—the design and development of technology to support psychological well-being and human potential. Calvo and Peters explain that technologists' growing interest in social good is part of a larger public concern about how our digital experience affects our emotions and our quality of life—which itself reflects an emerging focus on humanistic values in many different disciplines. Synthesizing theory, knowledge, and empirical methodologies from a variety of fields, they offer a rigorous and coherent foundational framework for positive computing. Sidebars by experts from psychology, neuroscience, human–computer interaction, and other disciplines supply essential context. Calvo and Peters examine specific well-being factors, including positive emotions, self-awareness, mindfulness, empathy, and compassion, and explore how technology can support these factors. Finally, they offer suggestions for future research and funding. Sidebars Timothy N. Bickmore, Jeremy Bailenson, danah boyd, Jane Burns, David R. Caruso, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Felicia Huppert, Mary-Helen Immordino-Yang, Adele Krusche and J. Mark G. Williams, Jane McGonigal, Jonathan Nicholas, Don Norman, Yvonne Rogers
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“Calvo and Peters (62) indicated that emotion can be detected from measures of heart rate, respiration, blood-pressure, skin conductance, and so on.”
From Digital Therapeutic Alliance With Fully Automated Mental Health Smartphone Apps: A Narrative Review (2022) · cites this paper as Calvo and Peters (62)
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“Designers can express their empathy by using high-impact graphs (62) and creating scenarios (64).”
From Digital Therapeutic Alliance With Fully Automated Mental Health Smartphone Apps: A Narrative Review (2022) · cites this paper as [62]
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Designing for Motivation, Engagement and Wellbeing in Digital Experience
Peters, D., Calvo, R. A., & Ryan, R. M. (2018) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00797 · Cited by 888
“Finally, as part of Positive Computing, Calvo and Peters (2014) have focused on wellbeing-supportive design for all technology by targeting wellbeing determinants (i.e., self-awareness, compassion, gratitude, motivation, etc.) and by leveraging the research and measures for these constructs for design and evaluation.”
BackgroundInfluentialSelf-citationSarker, S., Chatterjee, S., Xiao, X., & Elbanna, A. (2019) · MIS Quarterly · doi:10.25300/misq/2019/13747 · Cited by 576
Six Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence Grand Challenges
Ozmen Garibay, O., Winslow, B., Andolina, S., Antona, M., Bodenschatz, A., Coursaris, C., Falco, G., Fiore, S. M., Garibay, I., Grieman, K., et al. (2023) · International Journal of Human–Computer Interaction · doi:10.1080/10447318.2022.2153320 · Cited by 501
““ Positive technology ” as a general term (Riva et al., 2012), and “ Positive computing ” more specifically (Calvo & Peters, 2014), suggest that it is possible to use technology to influence specific features of human experience that serve to promote adaptive behaviors and positive functioning,…”
The Ethics of Digital Well-Being: A Thematic Review
Burr, C., Taddeo, M., & Floridi, L. (2020) · Science and Engineering Ethics · doi:10.1007/s11948-020-00175-8 · Cited by 374
“This interdisciplinarity is emphasised by Calvo and Peters (2014, chapter 3) when they acknowledge that understanding how to design digital technologies that enhance well-being requires expertise from diverse fields such as public health, bioethics, sociology, philosophy, psychology, public policy,…”
BackgroundMethodInfluentialAutomated Detection of Engagement Using Video-Based Estimation of Facial Expressions and Heart Rate
Monkaresi, H., Bosch, N., Calvo, R. A., & D’Mello, S. K. (2016) · IEEE Transactions on Affective Computing · doi:10.1109/taffc.2016.2515084 · Cited by 351
“Index Terms—Engagement detection, remote heart rate measurement, facial expression, writing task Ç”
BackgroundSelf-citationShaw, T. J., McGregor, D., Brunner, M., Keep, M., Janssen, A. L., & Barnet, S. (2017) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/jmir.8106 · Cited by 355
“One participant, a university researcher, referred to “positive computing,” how technologies are being designed to specifically support psychological well-being and human flourishing [24].”
BackgroundResponsible AI—two frameworks for ethical design practice
Peters, D., Vold, K., Robinson, D., & Calvo, R. A. (2020) · IEEE Transactions on Technology and Society · doi:10.1109/tts.2020.2974991 · Cited by 293
“As such, we argue that a responsible technology development process will need to incorporate evidence-based methods for evaluating the impact on, and designing for, human wellbeing, by drawing on psychology (see [32], [33]).”
BackgroundSelf-citationMirchi, N., Bissonnette, V., Yilmaz, R., Ledwos, N., Winkler-Schwartz, A., & Del Maestro, R. F. (2020) · PLOS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0229596 · Cited by 296
“The Virtual Operative Assistant addresses the behavioural level by providing feedback, and the reflective level by mimicking familiar feedback through audition and visual components.[9, 42] Studies across a variety of fields have proven the benefit of feedback to enhance skill acquisition and overall performance.”
BackgroundDeady, M., Choi, I., Calvo, R. A., Glozier, N., Christensen, H., & Harvey, S. B. (2017) · BMC Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/s12888-017-1473-1 · Cited by 222
“Although beyond the scope of this review it is important to note that one final limitation in evaluating effective prevention in this area is that of the search strategy [70].”
BackgroundSelf-citationThe Design of Ecological Momentary Assessment Technologies
Doherty, K., Balaskas, A., & Doherty, G. J. (2020) · Interacting with Computers · doi:10.1093/iwcomp/iwaa019 · Cited by 205
Lee, M., Ackermans, S., van As, N., Chang, H.-W., Lucas, E., & IJsselsteijn, W. A. (2019) · CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems · doi:10.1145/3290605.3300932 · Cited by 208
“Hence, disambiguating compassion from empathic distress is critical in deploying self-compassion chatbots as instantiations of positive computing [6].”
BackgroundInfluentialSupporting Human Autonomy in AI Systems: A Framework for Ethical Enquiry
Calvo, R. A., Peters, D., Vold, K., & Ryan, R. M. (2020) · Philosophical studies series · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-50585-1_2 · Cited by 174
Self-citationHow to Increase Automated Vehicles’ Acceptance through In-Vehicle Interaction Design: A Review
Detjen, H., Faltaous, S., Pfleging, B., Geisler, S., & Schneegaß, S. (2021) · International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction · doi:10.1080/10447318.2020.1860517 · Cited by 157
Roo, J. S., Gervais, R., Frey, J., & Hachet, M. (2017) · CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems · doi:10.1145/3025453.3025743 · Cited by 159
“Recently, human-computer interaction (HCI) researchers, designers and technologists started looking at computers not merely as devices to interact with, but as a support of positive changes in their users’ lives, aiming to foster subjective well-being, more commonly called “happiness”.”
BackgroundMethodInfluentialDesign for Existential Crisis in the Anthropocene Age
Light, A., Powell, A. B., & Shklovski, I. (2017) · International Conference on Communities and Technologies (C&T) · doi:10.1145/3083671.3083688 · Cited by 143
“Other strands of HCI have considered positive computing and wellbeing [11].”
BackgroundWellbeing in the Making: Peoples' Experiences with Wearable Activity Trackers
Karapanos, E., Gouveia, R., Hassenzahl, M., & Forlizzi, J. (2016) · Psychology of Well-Being · doi:10.1186/s13612-016-0042-6 · Cited by 124
“Since we tie our model of experience to need fulfillment, the present study is also a study of how subjective wellbeing is made through technology (see also Calvo and Peters 2014; Desmet and Hassenzahl 2012).”
ResultEMMA: an emotion-aware wellbeing chatbot
Ghandeharioun, A., McDuff, D., Czerwinski, M., & Rowan, K. (2019) · 2019 8th International Conference on Affective Computing and Intelligent Interaction (ACII) · doi:10.1109/acii.2019.8925455 · Cited by 126
“In positive computing [36] literature, there have been efforts around personalizing interventions toward the users’ preferences (e.g., [12], [37]) and using sensor data to derive the timing of interventions (e.g., [13], [38]).”
BackgroundTheoretical Perspectives on User Engagement
O’Brien, H. (2016) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-27446-1_1 · Cited by 127
Immersive Interactive Technologies for Positive Change: A Scoping Review and Design Considerations
Kitson, A., Prpa, M., & Riecke, B. E. (2018) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01354 · Cited by 135
“…functioning and well-being: Anthropology-Based Computing (Brown, 2013); Techno-spiritual Design (Buie, 2016); Positive Computing (Sander, 2011; Calvo and Peters, 2014); Positive Design ( Desmet and Pohlmeyer, 2013); Persuasive Technology (Fogg, 1999); Computer-mediated Self-transcendence…”
BackgroundMethodInfluentialDigital Therapeutic Alliance With Fully Automated Mental Health Smartphone Apps: A Narrative Review
Tong, F., Lederman, R., D'Alfonso, S., Berry, K., & Bucci, S. (2022) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2022.819623 · Cited by 106
Teaching and Developing Social and Emotional Skills with Technology
Slovák, P., & Fitzpatrick, G. (2015) · ACM Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction · doi:10.1145/2744195 · Cited by 124
“…autism [Kientz et al. 2013], computerised Cognitive Behavioural Therapy 19:2 P. Slov´ak and G. Fitzpatrick [Coyle et al. 2007], positive computing [Calvo and Peters 2014], as well as a number of individual systems aiming to affect particular social behaviour such as discussion dominance or…”
BackgroundDetecting Users’ Cognitive Load by Galvanic Skin Response with Affective Interference
Nourbakhsh, N., Chen, F., Wang, Y., & Calvo, R. A. (2017) · ACM Transactions on Interactive Intelligent Systems · doi:10.1145/2960413 · Cited by 121
“These and other examples also highlight the possibility of designing in order to improve psychological well-being [5] by reducing stress.”
BackgroundSelf-citationNurhas, I., Aditya, B. R., Witarsyah, D., & Pawlowski, J. Μ. (2021) · Behaviour and Information Technology · doi:10.1080/0144929x.2021.1962977 · Cited by 112
The Digital Therapeutic Alliance and Human-Computer Interaction
D'Alfonso, S., Lederman, R., Bucci, S., & Berry, K. (2020) · JMIR Mental Health · doi:10.2196/21895 · Cited by 90
Huber, S. E., Kiili, K., Nebel, S., Ryan, R. M., Sailer, M., & Ninaus, M. (2024) · Educational Psychology Review · doi:10.1007/s10648-024-09868-z · Cited by 85
“The extension of SDT (Ryan & Deci, 2000, 2017) based on research on video games (Ryan et al., 2006), technology design (Calvo & Peters, 2014), or digital learning (Sørebø et al., 2009) has shown in which ways psychological satisfactions for autonomy, competence, and relatedness can be evoked or…”
BackgroundVirtual reality as a tool to promote wellbeing in the workplace
Adhyaru, J. S., & Kemp, C. (2022) · Digital Health · doi:10.1177/20552076221084473 · Cited by 82
Burr, C., & Cristianini, N. (2019) · Minds and Machines · doi:10.1007/s11023-019-09497-4 · Cited by 83
“3.2.5) (Calvo & Peters 2014).”
BackgroundInfluentialDoherty, K., Barry, M., Marcano-Belisario, J., Arnaud, B., Morrison, C., Car, J., & Doherty, G. (2018) · JMIR Mental Health · doi:10.2196/10007 · Cited by 67
Values and Ethics in Information Systems
Spiekermann, S., Krasnova, H., Hinz, O. F., Baumann, A., Benlian, A., Gimpel, H., Heimbach, I., Köster, A., Maedche, A., Niehaves, B., et al. (2022) · Business & Information Systems Engineering · doi:10.1007/s12599-021-00734-8 · Cited by 82
“Beyond accessibility, usability, and UX, well-being oriented design has established itself as an important criterion of a ‘‘good design’’ (Calvo and Peters 2014) in the Human– Computer Interaction (HCI) field.”
BackgroundDesigning for mental wellbeing
Thieme, A., Wallace, J., Meyer, T. D., & Olivier, P. L. (2015) · British HCI Conference · doi:10.1145/2783446.2783586 · Cited by 74
“Since, research and design in HCI increasingly incorporates positive strategies into system design to support peoples’ general wellbeing (e.g. [15][16][25]).”
BackgroundGhandeharioun, A., Azaria, A., Taylor, S., & Picard, R. W. (2016) · Psychology of Well-Being Theory Research and Practice · doi:10.1186/s13612-016-0046-2 · Cited by 64
“Though targeting gratitude behaviors, our study teaches valuable lessons that can easily be applied to the design of general Behavioral Intervention Technologies (BIT) and contribute to the field of positive computing Calvo and Peters (2014).”
BackgroundMethodHarunavamwe, M., & Ward, C. E. (2022) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.921211 · Cited by 102
“More scientific approaches, such as positive technology, have been proved to be highly effective in reducing technostress and should be considered (Calvo and Peters, 2014).”
BackgroundReview of the theory, principles, and design requirements of human-centric Internet of Things (IoT)
Ystgaard, K. F., Atzori, L., Palma, D., Heegaard, P. E., Bertheussen, L. E., Jensen, M. R., & Moor, K. D. (2023) · Journal of Ambient Intelligence and Humanized Computing · doi:10.1007/s12652-023-04539-3 · Cited by 69
“1 3 perspectives allow for creating a ubiquitously connected reality where human well-being, positive social impact, and sustainability thrive (Calvo and Peters 2014).”
BackgroundInfluentialmHealth for Maternal Mental Health: Everyday Wisdom in Ethical Design
Barry, M., Doherty, K., Marcano Belisario, J., Car, J., Morrison, C., & Doherty, G. (2017) · Proceedings of the 2017 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems · doi:10.1145/3025453.3025918 · Cited by 57
“HCI research has recently started to focus on how technology can support psychological wellbeing [e.g. 1, 21, 78].”
BackgroundInfluentialFrom Digital Health to Digital Well-being: Systematic Scoping Review
Smits, M., Kim, C. M., van Goor, H., & Ludden, G. (2022) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/33787 · Cited by 82
The potential of learning with (and not from) artificial intelligence in education
Chichekian, T., & Benteux, B. (2022) · Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence · doi:10.3389/frai.2022.903051 · Cited by 75
“Finally, as part of Positive Computing, Calvo and Peters (2014) provided leverage for a design supportive of wellbeing as well as its determinants.”
BackgroundCalvo, R. A., Peters, D., Johnson, D. M., & Rogers, Y. (2014) · CHI Conference Extended Abstracts on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI EA) · doi:10.1145/2559206.2560468 · Cited by 59
Self-citationZhu, B., Hedman, A., Feng, S., Li, H., & Osika, W. (2017) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/jmir.6955 · Cited by 51
The Ethics of Digital Well-Being: A Multidisciplinary Perspective
Burr, C., & Floridi, L. (2020) · Philosophical studies series · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-50585-1_1 · Cited by 61
“These brief examples of wearable heart-rate monitors helps to emphasise the importance of ethical principles in the design and development of digital technologies (for further discussion, see Floridi 2010; Calvo and Peters 2014).”
BackgroundMonteiro-Guerra, F., Signorelli, G. R., Rivera-Romero, O., Zubiete, E. D., & Caulfield, B. (2020) · JMIR mhealth and uhealth · doi:10.2196/18867 · Cited by 52
Yarosh, S., & Schueller, S. M. (2017) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/jmir.6822 · Cited by 49
“The second track—positive computing technology [2,3]—originates from human-computer interaction and human factors.”
Muse Headband: Measuring Tool or a Collaborative Gadget?
Przegalińska, A., Ciechanowski, L., Magnuski, M., & Gloor, P. A. (2018) · Studies on entrepreneurship, structural change and industrial dynamics · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-74295-3_8 · Cited by 48
Counting sleep: Ambiguity, aspirational control and the politics of digital self-tracking at work
Elmholdt, K. T., Elmholdt, C. W., & Haahr, L. (2020) · Organization · doi:10.1177/1350508420970475 · Cited by 47
“…part of workplace (wellness) programmes, not least in the United States (Lupton, 2016b), and are often described in rosy terms as ‘positive computing devices’ (Calvo and Peters, 2014; Przegalinska, 2020) utilising the latest technology to create emotional agility and engagement (Davies, 2018).”
BackgroundEditorial: Positive Technology: Designing E-experiences for Positive Change
Gaggioli, A., Villani, D., Serino, S., Baños, R., & Botella, C. (2019) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01571 · Cited by 45
“, 2017), as well as on the definition of frameworks for bringing well-being principles into the design of interactive systems (Calvo and Peters, 2014; Fleming et al., 2016).”
BackgroundUnique ethical challenges for the 21st century: Online technology and virtue education
Dennis, M., & Harrison, T. (2020) · Journal of Moral Education · doi:10.1080/03057240.2020.1781071 · Cited by 59
“In fact, such an integrated approach might have further benefits in the long term as it will help students to understand how technology might be designed in ways that embed ethics more closely within the design process (Calvo & Peters, 2014).”
BackgroundChaudhary, A. S., Saroha, J., Monteiro, K., Forbes, A. G., & Parnami, A. (2022) · Designing Interactive Systems Conference · doi:10.1145/3532106.3533562 · Cited by 51
“Recently, many researchers have investigated how to design user interfaces to support a general sense of satisfaction and other positive emotions [2, 7, 12, 14, 28, 38, 43, 54].”
BackgroundDesign for Pride in the Workplace
Lu, Y., & Roto, V. (2016) · Psychology of Well-Being Theory Research and Practice · doi:10.1186/s13612-016-0041-7 · Cited by 45
“According to the positive computing framework (Calvo and Peters 2014, p. 87), pride covers the dimension from intra-personal pride that is experienced within oneself (e.g., feelings of self-achievement) to interpersonal pride that is experienced from interaction between oneself and others (e.g.,…”
BackgroundMethodInfluentialThe Thing and I (Summer of ’17 Remix)
Hassenzahl, M. (2018) · Human-computer interaction series · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-68213-6_2 · Cited by 43
Human-Engaged Computing: the future of Human–Computer Interaction
Ren, X., Silpasuwanchai, C., & Cahill, J. (2019) · CCF Transactions on Pervasive Computing and Interaction · doi:10.1007/s42486-019-00007-0 · Cited by 45
“…cognitive neuroscience (human irrationality), which leads to calls to consider an even more “human-centered perspective” (Ban-non 2011) such as human values (Borning 2012) and ethical aspects (Rogers 2012, embodiment (Kuutti and Bannon 2014; Harrison 2007), and well-being (Calvo and Peters 2014).”
BackgroundIEEE 7010: A New Standard for Assessing the Well-being Implications of Artificial Intelligence
Schiff, D., Ayesh, A., Musikanski, L., & Havens, J. C. (2020) · 2020 IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics (SMC) · doi:10.1109/smc42975.2020.9283454 · Cited by 62
“Well-being is important to overall quality of life [7]–[9], and while some research has been done on well-being in the digital era [10]–[14], measuring the impact of AI on users as well as”
BackgroundDesigning for Positive Emotions: Issues and Emerging Research Directions
Yoon, J., Pohlmeyer, A., Desmet, P., & Kim, C. (2020) · The Design Journal · doi:10.1080/14606925.2020.1845434 · Cited by 35
Tools for Wellbeing-Supportive Design: Features, Characteristics, and Prototypes
Peters, D., Ahmadpour, N., & Calvo, R. A. (2020) · Multimodal Technologies and Interaction · doi:10.3390/mti4030040 · Cited by 41
“Some examples of ongoing research programs in the wellbeing-supportive design space include work in “positive design”, which looks at ways product design can increase subjective wellbeing [25,29]; “positive computing”, which focuses on wellbeing-supportive digital technologies [20,30]; “positive technology”, which has…”
BackgroundSelf-citationPromoting Psychological Wellbeing: Loftier Goals for New Technologies [Opinion]
Calvo, R. A., & Peters, D. (2013) · IEEE Technology and Society Magazine · doi:10.1109/mts.2013.2286429 · Cited by 40
Self-citationPromoting Positive Affect through Smartphone Photography
Chen, Y., Mark, G. J., & Ali, S. (2016) · Psychology of Well-Being Theory Research and Practice · doi:10.1186/s13612-016-0044-4 · Cited by 45
“2012), and lead to more open-minded thinking and effective problem solving (Calvo and Peters 2014).”
BackgroundInfluentialThe Overuse of Digital Technologies: Human Weaknesses, Design Strategies and Ethical Concerns
Fasoli, M. (2021) · Philosophy & Technology · doi:10.1007/s13347-021-00463-6 · Cited by 49
“A “ well-being-friendly design ” would be a specific type of value-sensitive design (see for instance Brey, 2015; van de Poel, 2012; Van den Hoven et al., 2015) and a product of so-called positive computing (Calvo & Peters, 2014).”
BackgroundDesigning for Digital Wellbeing: From Theory to Practice a Scoping Review
Al-Mansoori, R. S., Al‐Thani, D., & Ali, R. (2023) · Human Behavior and Emerging Technologies · doi:10.1155/2023/9924029 · Cited by 39
Holloway, C., & Dawes, H. (2016) · Healthcare Technology Letters · doi:10.1049/htl.2016.0087 · Cited by 37
User Experience Is All There Is
Hassenzahl, M., Burmester, M., & Koller, F. (2021) · i-com · doi:10.1515/icom-2021-0034 · Cited by 50
de Rooij, A., Corr, P. J., & Jones, S. (2015) · Creativity and Cognition · doi:10.1145/2757226.2757227 · Cited by 36
“This potential promises application beyond creativity support, and may extend to other situations where the adaptive potential of emotion can help people, be it to assist them in performing better at other tasks, or to enable them to support their own wellbeing [6, 15, 21, 36].”
Strand, M., Gammon, D., & Ruland, C. M. (2017) · BMC Health Services Research · doi:10.1186/s12913-017-2176-5 · Cited by 37
“A wide range of theories and tools emerging in technical and social sciences [17–20] and positive computing [21] may aid in examining recovery-relevant issues such as self-esteem, stigma, power, self-disclosure, selfregulation, writing therapy and help-seeking behavior [13–15] and how connecting with others through In…”
BackgroundDigital well-being under pandemic conditions: catalysing a theory of online flourishing
Dennis, M. (2021) · Ethics and Information Technology · doi:10.1007/s10676-021-09584-0 · Cited by 38
Deng, X. N., & Yang, Z. (2021) · Social Sciences · doi:10.3390/socsci10060192 · Cited by 41
“To answer the research questions, we draw upon research on positive computing (Calvo and Peters 2014, 2015) and psychological well-being (Chen and Li 2017; Diener and Ryan 2009).”
BackgroundMethodCajander, Å., Larusdottir, M. K., & Hedström, G. (2020) · Quality and User Experience · doi:10.1007/s41233-020-00038-x · Cited by 37
Technology and Reflection: Mood and Memory Mechanisms for Well-Being
Konrad, A., Tucker, S., Crane, J., & Whittaker, S. (2016) · Psychology of Well-Being Theory Research and Practice · doi:10.1186/s13612-016-0045-3 · Cited by 32
“Should elevating mood be preferred to equanimity, such as to ameliorate depression or dysphoria (Mitchell et al. 2010; Calvo and Peters 2014), positive memories could be reflected on when in a negative mood for mood-enhancement A couple of participants even mentioned this being useful for…”
BackgroundSeaborn, K., Pennefather, P., & Fels, D. (2020) · Hum. Comput. Interact. · doi:10.1080/07370024.2018.1555481 · Cited by 25
Diefenbach, S. (2018) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00331 · Cited by 42
“Under umbrella terms such as “positive technology” or “positive computing,” research and design explores technology for well-being and human potential (e.g., Sander, 2011; Botella et al., 2012; Calvo and Peters, 2012, 2014; Riva et al., 2016b, 2017).”
Backgroundvon Terzi, P., Tretter, S., Uhde, A., Hassenzahl, M., & Diefenbach, S. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.718315 · Cited by 30
“The present study explores how subjective wellbeing is made through technology (e.g., Desmet and Hassenzahl, 2012; Calvo and Peters, 2014).”
Backgroundde Rooij, A., Corr, P. J., & Jones, S. (2017) · Creativity and Cognition · doi:10.1145/3059454.3059469 · Cited by 29
Flutura, S., Seiderer, A., Aslan, I., Dang, C. T., Schwarz, R., Schiller, D., & André, E. (2018) · International Conference on Digital Health · doi:10.1145/3194658.3194666 · Cited by 27
“…importance of designing for wellbeing and contributing factors, such as (perceived) human autonomy and competence is highlighted by researchers, such as Calvo and Peters [7], who promote a paradigm shift towards “Positive Computing” and away from designing solely to increase productivity.”
BackgroundMirković, J., Jessen, S., Kristjánsdóttir, Ó. B., Krogseth, T., Koricho, A. T., & Ruland, C. M. (2018) · JMIR Formative Research · doi:10.2196/10774 · Cited by 28
“Successful development of electronic interventions that build on the principles of positive computing and positive technology require multidisciplinary partnerships that explore the design and shape of digital experiences to support human flourishing [25].”
BackgroundInfluentialKelson, J. N., Lam, M. K., Keep, M., & Campbell, A. J. (2017) · Journal of Technology in Human Services · doi:10.1080/15228835.2017.1309311 · Cited by 25
“The present study sought to evaluate the initial user experience of “FearLess,” as a priority, given ongoing user experience with any form of eMental Health tool is critical to therapeutic engagement (Calvo & Peters, 2014).”
BackgroundHeraz, A., & Clynes, M. (2018) · JMIR Mental Health · doi:10.2196/10104 · Cited by 25
“Recognizing emotions when they are expressed and regulating them in ourselves and others helps us achieve effective communications and maintain good mental health [10-12].”
Empowerment or Engagement? Digital Health Technologies for Mental Healthcare
Burr, C., & Morley, J. (2020) · Digital ethics lab yearbook · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-29145-7_5 · Cited by 31
Conversational Interfaces: Devices, Wearables, Virtual Agents, and Robots
McTear, M., Callejas, Z., & Griol, D. (2016) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-32967-3_13 · Cited by 26
The Future of Emotion in Human-Computer Interaction
Wadley, G., Kostakos, V., Koval, P., et al. (2022) · CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems Extended Abstracts · doi:10.1145/3491101.3503729 · Cited by 25
“More recently, researchers have addressed the impact of technology use on psychological wellbeing [4, 25] and designed technology interventions for mental health [9].”
BackgroundThe Ethics of Digital Well-Being: A Thematic ReviewPreprint
Burr, C., Taddeo, M., & Floridi, L. (2019) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.3338441 · Cited by 25
A Psychological Need-Fulfillment Perspective for Designing Social Robots that Support Well-Being
Janssen, S., & Schadenberg, B. R. (2024) · International Journal of Social Robotics · doi:10.1007/s12369-024-01102-8 · Cited by 29
Designing for well-being: A case study of keeping small secrets
Diefenbach, S., Hassenzahl, M., Eckoldt, K., Hartung, L., Lenz, E., & Laschke, M. (2016) · The Journal of Positive Psychology · doi:10.1080/17439760.2016.1163405 · Cited by 24
“…identified activity as a viable means, HCI/ID started from the need to design object-mediated activities and only later identified positive and meaningful experience and ultimately well-being as a viable design objective (Calvo & Peters, 2014; Desmet & Pohlmeyer, 2013; Hassenzahl et al., 2013).”
BackgroundKlapperich, H., & Hassenzahl, M. (2016) · Nordic Conference on Human-Computer Interaction · doi:10.1145/2971485.2971532 · Cited by 24
“We place our work in the context of "positive design" or "designing for wellbeing" [3, 5, 6, 11].”
MethodRoquet, C. D., Sas, C., & Potts, D. (2021) · Human-Computer Interaction · doi:10.1080/07370024.2021.1968864 · Cited by 26
“The benefits and challenges of mindfulness training (Brown & Ryan, 2003; Calvo & Peters, 2014; Mindfulness-based interventions in context: Past, present and future, 2003) have inspired a growing number of focused attention mindfulness (FAM) technologies in HCI.”
BackgroundPawlowski, J. Μ., Eimler, S. C., Jansen, M., Stoffregen, J., Geisler, S., Koch, O. F., Müller, G., & Handmann, U. (2015) · Business & Information Systems Engineering · doi:10.1007/s12599-015-0406-0 · Cited by 24
“Positive computing denotes the ‘‘design and development of technologies to support well-being and human potential’’ (Calvo and Peters 2014).”
BackgroundJeno, L. M., Diseth, Å., & Grytnes, J. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.631564 · Cited by 31
Towards a Theory of Digital Well-Being: Reimagining Online Life After Lockdown
Dennis, M. (2021) · Science and Engineering Ethics · doi:10.1007/s11948-021-00307-8 · Cited by 43
“…de Poel, 2012; Swierstra & Waelbers, 2012; Oosterlaken, 2015; van den Hoven et al., 2017; Hoven et al., 2015), which inspired human–computer interaction (HCI) researchers to speculate how these techniques could be applied to DWB specifically (Calvo & Peters, 2013, 2014; Desmet & Pohlmeyer, 2013).”
BackgroundImmersive VR Exergames for Health and Wellbeing
Ijaz, K., Wang, Y., Ahmadpour, N., & Calvo, R. A. (2019) · CHI Conference Extended Abstracts on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI EA) · doi:10.1145/3290607.3313281 · Cited by 22
Self-citationNguyen, V. T. T., & Chen, H. (2023) · Education and Information Technologies · doi:10.1007/s10639-023-11685-w · Cited by 33
Deady, M., Johnston, D., Glozier, N., Milne, D., Choi, I., Mackinnon, A. J., Mykletun, A., Calvo, R. A., Gayed, A., Bryant, R. A., et al. (2018) · BMC Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/s12888-018-1752-5 · Cited by 24
Self-citationAugmented Utilitarianism for AGI Safety
Aliman, N.-M., & Kester, L. J. H. M. (2019) · Lecture notes in computer science · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-27005-6_2 · Cited by 20
“plarily consider well-being as reasonable high level nal goal candidate which is e.g. already re ected in the UN Sustainable Developmental Goals (SDGs) [45] and is in the spirit of positive computing [12]. Besides SWB and PERMA, multiple measures of well-being exist in psychology with focus on dierent well-being facto…”
BackgroundD’Alfonso, S., Phillips, J., Valentine, L., Gleeson, J., & Álvarez‐Jiménez, M. (2019) · JMIR Mental Health · doi:10.2196/14866 · Cited by 19
Steinemann, S. T., Geelan, B., Zaehringer, S., Mutuura, K., Wolkow, E., Fraßeck, L., & Opwis, K. (2020) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0234422 · Cited by 19
Toward Impactful Collaborations on Computing and Mental Health
Calvo, R. A., Dinakar, K., Picard, R. W., Christensen, H. M., & Torous, J. B. (2018) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/jmir.9021 · Cited by 19
“Positive computing is defined as “the design and development of technology to support psychological well-being and human potential” [7].”
Self-citationWan, C. K. B., & Onuike, A. J. (2021) · Sustainability · doi:10.3390/su13147929 · Cited by 19
Form Matters: Design Creativity in Positive Psychological Interventions
Desmet, P., & Sääksjärvi, M. (2016) · Psychology of Well-Being Theory Research and Practice · doi:10.1186/s13612-016-0043-5 · Cited by 19
“…user-centred design approaches, co-design, experience design, gamification, usability, and aesthetics, and also recent developments in design research, such as design for subjective well-being (Desmet and Pohlmeyer 2013; Hassenzahl 2010) and positive computing (Sander 2011; Calvo and Peters 2014).”
BackgroundCalvo, R. A., Vella‐Brodrick, D., Desmet, P., & Ryan, R. M. (2016) · Psychology of Well-Being Theory Research and Practice · doi:10.1186/s13612-016-0047-1 · Cited by 25
“The 21 authors who contributed to this issue explore, demonstrate, and discuss the multidisciplinary approaches in Positive Computing.”
BackgroundInfluentialSelf-citationNaqshbandi, K. Z., Jeon, Y., & Ahmadpour, N. (2022) · International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction · doi:10.1080/10447318.2022.2109246 · Cited by 27
“…happiness, indicated by the popularity of well-being applications for mood tracking, mindfulness (Cochrane et al., 2021), meditation (Cochrane et al., 2020), journaling (Tholander & Normark, 2020), with many promoting long-term well-being rather than immediate gratification (Calvo & Peters, 2014).”
BackgroundLiu, M. (2023) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1035742 · Cited by 25
Alzghoul, B. I. (2024) · The Open Public Health Journal · doi:10.2174/0118749445234806240206094335 · Cited by 19
Dimensional Affect Recognition from HRV: An Approach Based on Supervised SOM and ELM
Bugnon, L. A., Calvo, R. A., & Milone, D. H. (2017) · IEEE Transactions on Affective Computing · doi:10.1109/taffc.2017.2763943 · Cited by 17
“To improve human-computer interactions (HCI) and human-human computer mediated interactions (as in teleconferences), emotions, engagement and even psychological well-being should be taken into account [1].”
BackgroundSelf-citationCompassionate AI Design, Governance, and Use
Ciriello, R. F., Chen, A. Y., & Rubinsztein, Z. A. (2025) · IEEE Transactions on Technology and Society · doi:10.1109/tts.2025.3538125 · Cited by 19
Positive Emodiversity in Everyday Human-Technology Interactions and Users’ Subjective Well-Being
Yoon, J., & Kim, C. (2022) · International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction · doi:10.1080/10447318.2022.2121564 · Cited by 17
“Examples of such initiatives are Positive Computing (Calvo & Peters, 2014), Positive Technology (Diefenbach, 2018), Positive Design (Desmet & Pohlmeyer, 2013), and Experience Design (Hassenzahl, 2010).”
BackgroundAdaptive and Adaptable Systems: Differentiating and Integrating AI and EUD
Fischer, G. (2023) · Lecture notes in computer science · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-34433-6_1 · Cited by 17
“…of the challenges, promises, pitfalls, and design trade-offs associated with future socio-technical environments contributing to the quality of life in the digital age [4-6]. adapt sophisticated software systems as an integral part of their work to fully utilize the power of the computer.”
Background
Metadata
- Authors
- Calvo, R. A., & Peters, D.
- Venue
- The MIT Press eBooks
- Publisher
- The MIT Press
- Published
- 2014-11-28
- OpenAlex
- W4249654063
- Cited by
- 376
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 51 · 2025: 42 · 2024: 24 · 2023: 39 · 2022: 35 · 2021: 34 · 2020: 35 · 2019: 25 · 2018: 31 · 2017: 23 · 2016: 24 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 2
- FWCI
- 14.14
- Type
- book
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- The MIT Press eBooks (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Human-Computer Interaction › Innovative Human-Technology Interaction
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
- Keywords
- positive computing, psychological well-being, positive emotions, self-awareness, mindfulness, empathy, compassion, humanistic values, quality of life, human-computer interaction, emotion regulation
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