Tools & Resources
We're pleased to share some of the tools we've found useful to bridging wellbeing science and technology practice. These tools (created by Dorian Peters & Rafael A. Calvo) are free to use and share under Creative Commons license: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike.Share your feedback and let us know how you’ve used them!
Motivation, Engagement and Thriving in User Experience (METUX model)
Most of the tools below are based on work described in the paper, "Motivation, Engagement and Wellbeing in Digital Experience" in the journal, Frontiers in Psychology which was a collaboration with world-leading motivation and wellbeing psychologist, Richard M. Ryan (originator of Self-Determination Theory).The Spheres of Technology Experience
When we talk about supporting wellbeing determinants it’s important to understand there are different spheres of experience that may be influenced. For example, a technology might be autonomy-supportive from the software interaction perspective but not in relation to the real-world activity it’s intended to support. This reference sheet can help keep team members on the same page in conversations to do with wellbeing support.
See also: The Six Spheres of Tech Experience at Medium.
A Responsible Design Process + Methods
An upgrade to the design process that integrates ethics & wellbeing into its fabric. We map out the process and provide a list of methods and tools that might be applied at each stage.View the process.
Wellbeing Determinant Cards
Wellbeing determinants are factors that are known to increase wellbeing based on research (eg. autonomy, gratitude, compassion). We suggest that those intending to design for wellbeing target determinants, rather than wellbeing generally which can be trickier to pin down.
This set of 6 determinant cards helps you get started by providing at-a-glance insights into 6 research-based factors, how they're defined, what theoretical models refer to them, and how they might be applied to everyday software. Use these for brainstorming, ideation or to add a new wellbeing lens through which to analyze your projects.
A more complete set will be available soon. To be notified when it's released, please join our list.
References
- Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1988). The flow experience and its significance for human psychology.
- Gilbert, P. (2009). Introducing compassion-focused therapy. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, 15(3), 199–208. http://doi.org/10.1192/apt.bp.107.005264Goetz, J. L., Keltner, D., & Simon-Thomas, E. (2010). Compassion: An evolutionary analysis and empirical review. Psychological Bulletin, 136(3), 351.Huppert, F. A., & So, T. T. (2013). Flourishing across Europe: Application of a new conceptual framework for defining well-being. Social Indicators Research, 110(3), 837-861.
- Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American psychologist, 55(1), 68.
- Ryff, C. D. (1989). Happiness is everything, or is it? Explorations on the meaning of psychological well-being. Journal of personality and social psychology, 57(6), 1069.
- Seligman, M. (2011). Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well- being. New York: Free Press.
Goal/Challenge Layers
Reference/WorksheetEvery project has goals and challenges driven by different disciplinary teams. While user and stakeholder goals may be the focus of a UX team, the developers may be tackling various technical challenges. Work in positive computing will additionally have goals and challenges related to psychological wellbeing. Use this worksheet to think about what kinds of wellbeing goals or challenges are relevant to your project.
Happy Camper
Looking for inspiration? Post this on the wall for a ready reminder of some core determinant factors of wellbeing (with definitions). This pin-up includes Competence, Autonomy, Meaning, Positive emotions, Engagement and Relatedness in a little combo we like to call the "happy CAMPER".
CHI 2019 Course slides
As requested, here are the slides from our course at CHI 2019.
Videos on Tech & Wellbeing
Our short and informal interview series, "Perspectives on Tech & Wellbeing" where we speak with leaders in psychology, health and computing about how we can better design technology to support wellbeing. Watch videos...
Gallery
All technologies, whether created for productivity, communication, entertainment or some other purpose, should be designed in ways that support psychological health. A few technologies, however, are dedicated entirely to the enhancement of psychological wellbeing, and when we come across one of these "dedicated" tools, we add it to the gallery. We haven't tried them all, but just browsing through the list helps demonstrate the real momentum behind the wellbeing technology movement. Please get in touch if you know of one we should add to the collection.
Sharing
These tools were created by Dorian Peters & Rafael Calvo and are free to use and share. Please refer to the Creative Commons license: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike. Share your feedback and let us know how you’ve used them!
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