Technology which Makes You Think: The Reflection, Rumination and Thought in Technology Scale

Abstract

Reflection is widely regarded as a key design goal for technologies for well-being. Yet, recent research shows that technologies for reflection may have negative consequences, in the form of rumination, i.e. negative thought cycles. Understanding how technologies support thinking about oneself, which can take the form of rumination and reflection, is key for future well-being technologies. To address this research gap, we developed the Reflection, Rumination and Thought in Technology (R2T2) scale. Contrary to past research, R2T2 addresses ways of self-focused thinking beyond reflection. This scale can quantify how a technology supports self-focused thinking and the rumination and reflection aspects of that thinking. We developed the scale through a systematic scale development process. We then evaluated the scale's test-retest reliability along with its concurrent and discriminant validity. R2T2 enables designers and researchers to compare technologies which embrace self-focused thinking and its facets as a design goal.