An Enactivist Approach to Human-Computer Interaction: Bridging the Gap Between Human Agency and Affordances
HCI International 2025 – Late Breaking Papers January 1, 2026 Angjelin Hila
In interactive technologies like extended reality (XR), brain-computer interfaces (BCI), and generative AI, a new framework redefines how human agency is understood. Drawing on enactivist cognitive science, the authors propose replacing the traditional "sense of agency" (SoA) with "feelings of agency" (FoA), which includes affective engagement and volitional attention. These are measured using neurodynamic indicators (valence, arousal, and cross-frequency coupling in the dorsal attention system) alongside first-person reports. The framework aims to provide richer, actionable insights for designing digital affordances that enhance human agency in rapidly evolving interactive environments.