Embodied social presence theory

Acronym
ESP

Alternate name(s)
Embodied Social Presence Theory ESP Theory

Main dependent construct(s)/factor(s)
Flow, Perceptions of Embodiment, Perceptions of ESP, Task Focus

Main independent construct(s)/factor(s)
Virtual Embodiment, Technological Readiness, Psychological Readiness, Embodied Presence, Embodied Co-presence

Concise description of theory
ESP Theory posits that the body is the nexus of communication, and that an embodied representation affects the perceptions of users by drawing them into a higher level of cognitive engagement in their shared activities and communication acts. During this process users engage in a loop of shifting attentional focus on the virtual and real self, on the other social actor’s virtual and real self, and on the context of interactions.

Originating author(s)
Brian Mennecke, Janea Triplett, Lesya Hassall, Zayira Jordan, Rex Heer

Seminal articles
Mennecke, B.E., Triplett, J., Hassall, L.M., Jordan, Z., and Heer, R., (forthcoming). An Examination of User Embodiment and Activity-based Social Interaction in Virtual Worlds: Implications for the Development of a Theory of Embodied Social Presence. Decision Sciences, Vol. 42, Num. 2.

Mennecke, B.E., Triplett; J. L., Hassall, L., & Jordan-Conde, Z. Embodied Social Presence Theory. 43rd Hawaiian International Conference on System Sciences, Jan. 2010, Koloa, HI.

Originating area
Communication Studies Human Computer Interaction Management Information Systems

Level of analysis
Individual

Links from this theory to other theories
Media synchronicity theory

Original Contributor(s)
Brian Mennecke, Janea Triplett, Lesya Hassall, Zayira Jordan, Rex Heer

Please feel free to make modifications to this site. In order to do so, you must register. Return to Theories Used in IS Research