Tim Dixon - Bet you didn’t know you’re a (UX) philosopher? Improving our craft by exploring our past.

What is the research tradition that underpins the world of UX we know today? How has the current understanding of our discipline inherited ideas from its history? And what can we learn from some of those ideas that have come before us? We'll explore 150 years' of ideas and more in this journey that will help us ladder up from sympathy, to empathy, to compassion for our craft and our clients/customers.

Transcript

1. DR TIM DIXON | SENIOR UX RESEARCHER | /TIMDIXON2 @TIMDIXON1980
   Bet you didn’t know you’re a (UX)
   philosopher?
   Learning from our past to improve our craft
   

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2. Agenda
   Part 1: From philosophical to user experience
   Part 2: UX Research: Today’s experience
   Part 3: Phenomenological experience
   Part 4: Authentic lived experience
   Part 5: Laddering up our experience
   

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3. PART 1
   FROM PHILOSOPHICAL 

   TO USER EXPERIENCE
   

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4. Our journey begins…
   The 1870s.
   

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5. Wilhelm Wundt (University of Leipzig)
   Physiological 

   psychology
   William James (Harvard University)
   Experiential 

   psychology
   …the 1st experimental
   psychology lab is
   founded
   Twice!
   

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6. Radical empiricism
   We perceive more than just a ‘stream of data’ :
   it’s a ‘stream of conscious experience’ that we interpret
   via existing memories, and build causal relations on.
   “We know things because we’ve experienced
   them through our senses and we link them
   causally to each other and to other things we
   know.”
   Physiological 

   psychology
   Experiential 

   psychology
   

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7. [W]e have every right to
   speak of [experience] as
   subjective and objective 

   both at once.
   WILLIAM JAMES (1912), ESSAYS IN RADICAL EMPIRICISM,
   ESSAY I
   

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8. Pragmatism
   The theory that ideas can never be completely proven true or false. 

   We should consider how useful an idea is: how practical, how productive.
   “We can never be 100% sure about things, 

   and that’s okay if what we know is useful.”
   Physiological 

   psychology
   Experiential 

   psychology
   

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9. GESTALT
   BEHAVIORISM
   COGNITIVE 

   PSYCHOLOGY
   UX
   Late 19th Century Early-Mid 20th Century Mid-late 20th Century End 20th Century
   https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/article/the-law-of-similarity-gestalt-principles-1
   Craig Swanson © https://www.perspicuity.com/
   http://olivalab.mit.edu/
   COGNITIO
   N
   PERCEPTIO
   N
   1ST EXPERIMENTAL
   PSYCHOLOGY
   LAB(S)
   Physiological 

   psychology
   Experiential 

   psychology
   

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10. https://abetteruserexperience.com/2011/12/hierarchy-of-needs-the-deprecated-pyramid/
    https://sparkleclass.com/author/sparkleclass/
    https://www.maqe.com/insight/the-design-thinking-process-how-does-it-work/
    https://clutch.co/agencies/ui-ux/resources/three-user-experience-frameworks-better-websites-apps
    https://bootcamp.uxdesign.cc/hmntycntrd-book-club-10-books-to-help-you-be-more-human-centered-in-your-work-f5c330a443f4
    

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11. Sympathy and our community
    PART 2
    UX RESEARCH: 

    TODAY’S EXPERIENCE
    

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12. https://dscout.com/people-nerds/how-to-set-up-a-user-research-framework-and-why-your-team-needs-one
    https://uxdesign.cc/user-research-work-frame-for-lean-startups-6117f16f81d2
    https://a16z.com/2021/04/06/the-market-for-user-research-platforms/
    

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13. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-to-get-ux-buy-
    in-tickets-274628720897#
    • UX is NOT focusing only on aesthetics.
    • UX is not UI
    • UX is not just “one thing.”
    • UX is not design thinking.
    • UX is not UX if it does not include insights from actual users
    - Darren Hoo
    “Researchers are wildly under-
    resourced, causing us to survive by
    mastering the fine balance of
    democratizing our practice and
    executing primary research on

    the most strategic projects.
    “This framework attempts to help
    navigate that fine balance.”
    -Jeanette Fuccella
    https://uxdesign.cc/building-a-framework-for-prioritizing-user-research-ed46622ead99
    https://uxuncensored.medium.com/overcoming-ux-misdirection-e3efc7b47764
    “Many companies design for their users without
    speaking to them, leading to frustrating products.”
    - UX Glasgow event
    BUT…
    

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14. https://uxdesign.cc/user-research-work-frame-for-lean-startups-6117f16f81d2
    “Perceived 

    qualities”
    “Empirically
    observed 

    qualities”
    “Perceived 

    quantities”
    “Empirically
    observed 

    quantities”
    ‘Subjective
    ’
    ‘Objectiv
    e’
    Sam Ladner (2019). Mixed Methods: A short guide to applied mixed methods research
    

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15. Based on: Sam Ladner (2019). Mixed Methods: A short guide to applied mixed methods research
    Role of
    theory in
    research
    Methods 

    include…
    Underpinning
    theories of
    knowledge &
    existence
    (Epistemology & Ontology)
    Quantitative
    Deductive, 

    test theory, 

    validate
    Task-based
    hypothesis testing,
    statistical analyses
    Natural sciences/
    positivism, 

    Objectivism
    Qualitative
    Inductive, 

    generate
    theory, 

    discover
    Contextual
    research, 

    Grounded Theory,
    affinity mapping
    Interpretivism,
    Constructivism
    A
    com
    m
    on
    

    request?
    

    Yay social 

    sciences!
    

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16. Empathy in our community
    PART 3
    PHENOMENOLOGICAL 

    EXPERIENCE
    

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17. https://www.instagram.com/philosophyminis/
    What is it like to be a bat?
    

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18. What is it like to be a bat?
    

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23. But….does a bat know what it is to be a ba
    

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24. But….does a bat know what it is to be a ba
    

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25. Explore / users’ phenomenological experiences
    

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26. Triangulate the data / but also ask users to co-create with
    you!
    

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27. Share experiences / start your exposure hours program!
    Jared Spool (2011) https://articles.uie.com/user_exposure_hours/
    Adrian Swinscoe (2019) Forbes, https://www.forbes.com/sites/adrianswinscoe/2019/09/20/how-many-exposure-hours-have-you-had-recently-with-your-customers/
    

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28. Become / an A11y!
    https://accessibilityuserresearchcollective.org/ https://dwpdigital.blog.gov.uk/2019/02/28/five-insights-from-my-research-with-assistive-technology-users/
    

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29. Compassion for self and community
    PART 4
    AUTHENTIC LIVED 

    EXPERIENCE
    

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30. https://www.instagram.com/philosophyminis/
    What is time?
    

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31. Time / quantitative, ‘spatialised’, calibrated, artificial
    

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32. Duration / fluid, continuous, immeasurable, authentic
    

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33. Duration / fluid, continuous, immeasurable, authentic
    

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34. Duration / ‘a qualitative multiplicity’, without beginning or end
    

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35. Tim Urban, How Covid Stole Our Time and How We Can Get It Back, New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/25/opinion/covid-pandemic-depressing-math.html
    How does this / relate to us?
    

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36. How does this / relate to us?
    

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37. https://theconversation.com/a-philosophical-idea-that-can-help-us-understand-why-time-is-moving-slowly-during-the-pandemic-151250
    1.Challenge your vision
    2.Test the edges, not just the averages
    3.Build an ‘outside view’ into your process
    Sara Wachter-Boettcher & Eric Meyer: Design for Real Life
    https://www.uxbooth.com/articles/compassionate-ux/
    https://www.atlassian.com/practices/use-cases/team-anywhere
    

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38. From sympathy to compassion
    PART 5
    LADDERING UP 

    OUR EXPERIENCE
    

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39. Based on: https://www.nngroup.com/articles/sympathy-vs-empathy-
    THE EMPATHY LADDER
    Understanding & engagement
    Effort
    I’m sorry for you
    I feel with you
    I’m moved to help you
    Size of bubble represents

    impact potential.
    Compassion
    Empathy
    Sympathy
    

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40. BUDDHIST PHILOSOPHY
    https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/distinguishing-compassion-from-sympathy-empathy-tony-zampella/
    Thupten Jinpa, PhD: Dalai Lama’s principal English translator, creator of

    Compassion Cultivation Training (CCT) course, posits a 

    four-step process to compassion:
    1. Awareness of the true nature of suffering
    2. Sensitive concern related to being emotionally moved by suffering
    3. A wish to see suffering relieved
    4. ‘Wise responsiveness’ or readiness to help relieve suffering
    

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41. Thank you!
    Dr Tim Dixon, Senior UX Researcher, Atlassian
    @TIMDIXON1980
    Any questions?
    

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42. REFERENCES 1/2
    Part 1
    Introduction to James and Wundt: https://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/wundtjames.html
    William James (1912), Essays in radical empiricism, Essay I: Does ‘consciousness’ exist? http://fair-use.org/william-james/essays-in-radical-empiricism/does-consciousn
    exist
    Behaviourism cartoon: Craig Swanson © https://www.perspicuity.com/
    Gestalt: https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/article/the-law-of-similarity-gestalt-principles-1
    Cognitive psychology: http://olivalab.mit.edu/
    3 User Experience Frameworks: https://clutch.co/agencies/ui-ux/resources/three-user-experience-frameworks-better-websites-apps
    Hierarchy of Needs: https://abetteruserexperience.com/2011/12/hierarchy-of-needs-the-deprecated-pyramid/
    Design Thinking: https://www.maqe.com/insight/the-design-thinking-process-how-does-it-work/
    Systemic inclusion: https://sparkleclass.com/author/sparkleclass/
    HmntyCntrd Book Club: https://bootcamp.uxdesign.cc/hmntycntrd-book-club-10-books-to-help-you-be-more-human-centered-in-your-work-f5c330a443f4
    Part 2
    User Research framework for lean startups: https://uxdesign.cc/user-research-work-frame-for-lean-startups-6117f16f81d2
    How to set up a user research framework: https://dscout.com/people-nerds/how-to-set-up-a-user-research-framework-and-why-your-team-needs-one
    The Market for user research platforms: https://a16z.com/2021/04/06/the-market-for-user-research-platforms/
    How to get UX buy-in (past event): https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-to-get-ux-buy-in-tickets-274628720897#
    Building a framework for prioritising user research: https://uxdesign.cc/building-a-framework-for-prioritizing-user-research-ed46622ead99
    Overcoming UX misdirection: https://uxuncensored.medium.com/overcoming-ux-misdirection-e3efc7b47764
    Sam Ladner (2019). Mixed Methods: A short guide to applied mixed methods research: https://www.mixedmethodsguide.com/
    

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43. REFERENCES 2/2
    Part 3
    Philosophy Minis: https://www.instagram.com/philosophyminis/
    Thomas Nagel (1974) What is it like to be a bat? https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/cross_fac/iatl/study/ugmodules/humananimalstudies/lectures/32/nagel_bat.pdf
    Bat navigation: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Bats-navigate-and-identify-prey-by-echolocation_fig1_258525053
    Bat echolocation: https://elifesciences.org/articles/36561
    Person and bat: https://i.imgur.com/QdLv0af.jpg
    Jared Spool (2011) https://articles.uie.com/user_exposure_hours/
    Adrian Swinscoe (2019) Forbes, https://www.forbes.com/sites/adrianswinscoe/2019/09/20/how-many-exposure-hours-have-you-had-recently-with-your-customers/
    Accessibility user research collective: https://accessibilityuserresearchcollective.org/
    5 insights from my research with assistive technology users: https://dwpdigital.blog.gov.uk/2019/02/28/five-insights-from-my-research-with-assistive-technology-users/
    Part 4
    Philosophy Minis: https://www.instagram.com/philosophyminis/
    Henri Bergson (1889) Time and Free Will: An essay on the immediate data of consciousness: https://brocku.ca/MeadProject/Bergson/Bergson_1910/Bergson_1910_toc.
    Tim Urban, How Covid Stole Our Time and How We Can Get It Back, New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/25/opinion/covid-pandemic-depressing-math.ht
    The Conversation, Bergson and Covid time: https://theconversation.com/a-philosophical-idea-that-can-help-us-understand-why-time-is-moving-slowly-during-the-pandemic-1
    The Conversation, Liminality and Covid time: https://theconversation.com/the-shifting-sands-of-covid-and-our-uncertain-future-has-a-name-liminality-166903
    Atlassian, Team Anywhere: https://www.atlassian.com/practices/use-cases/team-anywhere
    Sara Wachter-Boettcher & Eric Meyer: Design for Real Life, & article on Compassionate UX: https://www.uxbooth.com/articles/compassionate-ux/
    Part 5
    NNg Sympathy vs. Empathy UX: https://www.nngroup.com/articles/sympathy-vs-empathy-ux/
    Distinguishing Compassion from Empathy and Sympathy https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/distinguishing-compassion-from-sympathy-empathy-tony-zampella/
    

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