Spatial Affective Interaction (SAI): A Framework for Research on Affective Processing by Manual Interactions with Digital Objects

Abstract

This work introduces the Spatial Affective Interaction (SAI) framework within Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), linking embodied interaction with affective computing. It proposes a novel approach to understanding how manual interactions with digital objects, particularly through touch-based interfaces, influence users' affective experiences. The framework integrates spatial affective biases based on space-valence associations, action-goal representations linked to approach-avoidance mechanisms, and visuospatial biases related to hand proximity to visual stimuli. It investigates the role of direct contact with digital objects in shaping affective meaning, addressing three research questions: the influence of spatial axes on affective evaluations, the activation of action-goal representations during manual interactions, and the impact of hand proximity on the perceived valence of digital objects. The SAI framework aims to refine the methodology of affective HCI research and extend its applicability beyond touch interfaces to immersive technologies like Virtual Reality.