London: Not just your employer or spouse, even computers programmed to monitor people’s body language can tell whether they are bored or not, says a study, according to IANS.
Body-language expert Dr Harry Witchel from University of Sussex found that by measuring a person’s movements as they use a computer, it is possible to judge their level of interest. This can be done by monitoring whether they display the tiny movements that people usually constantly exhibit, known as non-instrumental movements.
According to Dr Witchel, if someone is absorbed in what they are watching or doing, there is a decrease in these involuntary movements. “Our study showed that when someone is really highly engaged in what they’re doing, they suppress these tiny involuntary movements. It’s the same as when a small child, who is normally constantly on the go, stares gaping at cartoons on the television without moving a muscle,” Dr Witchel explained.
The study, published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology, could have a significant impact on the development of artificial intelligence (AI). “Being able to ‘read’ a person’s interest in a computer program could bring real benefits to future digital learning,” the author added.
