Activity Theory

Question 1

What is activity theory’s focus?

Answer 1

It focuses on the intention, execution and understanding of actions taken by humans

Question 2

What are the three fundamental characteristics of human activity?

Answer 2

1. It is directed toward a material or ideal object (It is goal oriented)
2. It is mediated by artifacts (It understands the world on the basis of artefacts within the world)
3. It is socially constituted within a culture (It’s understanding of the world is influenced by a surrounding
   social culture)

Question 3

Explain the activity triangle

Answer 3

S is the subject (human), O is the object (the artefact) and X is the mediation of the artefact as constituted by the culture (can also be seen as an instrument)

Question 4

Name the three levels of activity and explain each

Answer 4

Activity, Action and Operation

Activity:
High level activity which is not necessarily something we are conscious about, but can through reflection become clear to us, the human. It is the “why” we are performing an action

Action:
Mid level activity which is something we are conscious about, it is where we define the goal of
the activity. It is the “what” we are working towards

Operation:
Low level activity which is not necessarily conscious about as these are the simplest procedures we can make, almost automatic. It is the “how” an action is performed as concretely as
possible

Question 5

What is conceptualization and automatisation?

Answer 5

Conceptualisation can happen when changes occur in the activity that forces the user to rethink their
goals both on a conscious and subconscious level (Breakdown)

Automatisation can happen when the goal becomes somewhat internalised and thus actions become
more automatic and less focused on

Question 6

What are contradictions?

Answer 6

Contradictions in the context puts activity in constant development. Contradictions are a conflict between two nodes in the activity system