Concept Verification and Validation Using Psychological Scales through an “Eating‐Together” System Enhancing Connectivity for Busy‐Generation Urbanites with Neighborhood Community in Japan

Abstract

Recently, with the growing demand for qualitative values such as wellbeing, development and implementation of systems considering societal needs. This paper presents an approach of concept verification and validation for the proposed “Eating‐Together” system that aims to enhance connectivity among neighbors of busy urbanites in Japan. The study utilized three psychological scales, including the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), General Self‐Efficacy Scale (GSES), and Social Worth as Measures of Performance (MOP). In developing the concept of the System of Interest (SOI), four main aspects were identified as mission requirements. The prototype was built based on the final concept model, and nine tests were conducted with 15 hosts and 31 guests. The questionnaires were administrated three times: before, immediately after, and two weeks after the event. The results indicated that the prototype successfully met all of the mission requirements, providing an improved method to estimate the otherwise unmeasurable elements.