Feeling Present in the Physical World and in Computer-Mediated Environments

Our experience of the physical world around us, and of the social environments in which we function, is increasingly mediated by information and communication technology, which is itself evolving ever more rapidly and pervasively. This book presents a coherent and detailed account of why we experience feelings of being present in the physical world and in computer-mediated environments, why we often don't, and why it matters - for design, psychotherapy, tool use and social creativity amongst other practical applications. Since the extent to which presence is experienced in a technology-mediated interactive context can be manipulated by design, and in almost unlimited ways, we can use explorations with mediated presence to provide new insights into the psychology of presence in both the physical and technology-mediated worlds.

John Waterworth is a full Professor of Informatics and member of the Q-life research group at Umeå University, Sweden. His recent research has focused on the subjective experience and psychological impact of using new IT on quality of life and health. With about 200 publications to his name, he is best known for his work on topics such as information exploration, the experience of presence and creativity in mediated environments.

Giuseppe Riva is Associate Professor of General Psychology and Communication Psychology at the Catholic University of Milan, Italy and Head Researcher of the Applied Technology for Neuro-Psychology Laboratory, Italy. As well as being President of the International Association of CyberPsychology, Training, and Rehabilitation, Riva is Editor in Chief for the Open Access journals Psychnology and Annual Review of CyberTherapy and Telemedicine.

1. The Importance of Feeling Present
2. The Layers of Presence
3. Presence as the Link between Intention and Action
4. Presence, Digital Tools and the Body
5. The Designed Presence of the Individual
6. Presence in Social Environments
7. Conclusions