Not Just a Number: A Multidimensional Approach to Ageing in HCI

Abstract: The focus on managing problems that can arise for older adults has meant that extant HCI and Ageing research has not given the concepts of 'age' and 'ageing' the explicit theoretical attention they deserve. Attending to this gap, we critically examine a ten-year corpus of CHI publications through the lens of an existing typology which we have further developed to analyse how age is understood, interpreted and constructed in the field of HCI. Our resulting multidimensional typology of age in HCI elucidates the distinctive characteristics of older adults considered when designing with and for this user group, but also highlights the need for a more critical, reflexive, social constructivist approach to age in HCI. Applying this approach, we explore age as a multidimensional system of stratification to better understand the phenomenon of the age-based digital divide.

• The paper introduces a multidimensional framework encompassing chronological, generational, physical, psychological, and social-constructivist dimensions to analyze age in HCI, critiquing the sole reliance on chronological age.
• It argues that chronological age is insufficient for understanding older adults' technology interactions and highlights how multidimensional age stratification intersects with the digital divide.
• The research findings provide practical and theoretical implications for HCI, emphasizing the need for more inclusive design and nuanced research approaches that consider diverse aspects of ageing beyond decline.

A Multidimensional Approach to Ageing in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)

The paper "Not Just a Number: A Multidimensional Approach to Ageing in HCI" provides a critical examination of how age and ageing are conceptualized within the HCI community. The researchers have identified a theoretical gap in the current literature related to ageing, particularly in the context of technological interaction. By analyzing a ten-year corpus of CHI publications, the authors develop a multidimensional framework that evaluates how age is understood and constructed within the domain of HCI.

The core objective of the paper is to address the inadequacies in existing HCI and ageing research, which often conflate age with issues like physical and cognitive decline, thus neglecting a more nuanced and socially constructed understanding of age. The authors critique this oversight by presenting a comprehensive analysis through the lens of a multidimensional typology they have refined for HCI research purposes.

Key Contributions and Findings

1. Typology Development: The research extends existing social constructionist frameworks to accommodate the explicit context of HCI and ageing. This typology encompasses various dimensions of age, such as chronological, generational, physical, psychological, and social-constructivist, and serves as a lens to view age-related issues from a holistic perspective. This systematic approach allows for a more comprehensive understanding of age as more than mere chronological milestones.
2. Chronological Age Limitations: Chronological age, while often used in HCI literature, is insufficient to capture the complexities of older adults' interactions with technology. The authors argue that chronological metrics neglect the varied life experiences and social roles that heavily influence technology use.
3. Intersection with Digital Divide: The paper examines the digital divide as a phenomenon informed by multidimensional age stratification. The authors suggest that age-related differences in technology use are not simply a function of ageing but rather a result of intersecting social-constructivist factors that accumulate and diverge over time.
4. Empirical Approach: By analyzing a significant corpus of CHI publications, the researchers identify which conceptualizations of ageing predominate in HCI studies, shedding light on overlooked dimensions such as life stages, family roles, and cultural consumption.
5. HCI Design Implications: The results emphasize the importance of designing technologies that consider the multidimensional aspects of ageing. For instance, the insights into generational differences in learning and social values can inform inclusive design practices that foster usability among older adults.

Practical and Theoretical Implications

The proposed framework holds significant implications for both practice and theory in HCI. Practitioners can apply this multidimensional approach to create more inclusive and effective design solutions for older adults, acknowledging their diverse needs and capabilities beyond physical decline. Theoretically, this work encourages HCI researchers to adopt a more nuanced view of ageing, one that aligns closely with theories from social sciences, thus bridging disciplinary gaps.

Future Directions

The study outlines future investigation paths, emphasizing the need for HCI research to further explore how various dimensions of age intersect with individual user needs and preferences. There is an opportunity to explore how cultural and societal values shape technology interactions among different cohorts of older adults.

In conclusion, the paper sets a new agenda for HCI and ageing research by advocating for a comprehensive, socially constructed understanding of age. This multidimensional framework offers critical insights and methodological guidance to advance HCI practices and research in more inclusive and socially aware directions.