Activity Theory as a Potential Framework for Human-Computer Interaction Research

In recent years the mainstream framework for human-computer interaction research-information processing cognitive psychology-has come under increasing criticism because of serious problems in applying it in both research and practical design.In a debate within the HCI research community, the capability of information processing psychology has been questioned and new theoretical frameworks considered.This chapter presents an overview of the situation and discusses the potential of activity theory as an alternative framework for HCI research and design.