Emotions and norms in shared spaces

Abstract

Open-plan offices are working environments which require people to share a common space. However, violation of conventional rules (norms) can cause instances of incivility which, if untreated, can cause further problems: escalating retaliation, demoralised or demotivated workforce, staff turnover, etc. In this paper, we envision the common space as a common pool resource which we seek to manage according to the institutional design principles of Elinor Ostrom. We describe the design and implementation of an affective conditioning system, which detects a violation of office norms and deterioration of (positive) affective (emotional) state of the office occupants, and seeks to restore a homeostatic equilibrium using self-regulation and forgiveness. We suggest that this convergence of normative, affective and adaptive computing demonstrates the possibilities for self-regulatory platforms for successful collective action in such communal situations. © 2014 Springer International Publishing.