Con-tact – on the problem of the absence of eye contact and physical contact in virtual interaction

Barbara Becker

pp. 169-180

in: Ipke Wachsmuth, Günther Knoblich (eds), Modeling communication with robots and virtual humans, Berlin, Springer, 2008

Abstract

The concrete face-to-face interaction can be regarded as a responsive process, characterized by the fact that – beyond our intentions – we always re-act to the implicit or explicit demands of the other. This form of responsivity is essentially determined by the corporal-sensual presence of the communication partner: the expression of the eyes, gestures and body posture, or the rhythm and sound of the voice. These aspects evocate an implicit horizon of meaning which always affects the intentions of the speaker. In responding to the explicit as well as implicit demands of the other, responsibility for the communication process and the other may arise, which is essential for the success and the continuity of the communication process. In this article I discuss whether this kind of responsibility exists in virtual communication when the nonverbal sphere of communication does not exist, and how it might be replaced at least to some extent.