Applying Transactional Analysis to the Understanding of Human–Product Interaction in Cellphone Design

Abstract

This study explored product experience based on users’ three ego states. In a qualitative study, 33 cellphone users answered a questionnaire about their selection requirements and satisfaction reasons. These requirements were assigned to one ego state’s characteristics. The most important requirement, an operating system, is both adult and child ego states’ request. However, results showed that the requirements, their reason, and the active ego state change in different stages. When users’ adult and child ego states select a product and are satisfied with it, they have some new needs related to the child ego state for the next selection. Characteristics of each ego state also defined an active ego state interacting with a product. A product’s appearance activates users’ child ego state while tactual experience activates all ego states. Users’ adult ego state holds the product for use while nurturing parent protects and strokes the product, and child ego state is being stroked by product’s surface.

Keywords:

• human-centred design
• ego state
• user experience
• user requirements
• cellphone

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ghazaleh Sepahpour

Ghazaleh Sepahpour studied industrial design. She achieved her bachelor’s degree from Tehran University and her master’s degree from Amirkabir University of Technology. Currently, she is a lecturer at Azad University, Tehran, Iran.