UNeedS: Development of Scales to Measure the Satisfaction and Frustration of 13 Fundamental Needs

Abstract

Good user experience can be described as the result of satisfying fundamental human needs through interaction with technology. Therefore, HCI researchers and practitioners strive to promote need satisfaction and avoid need frustration through their technology and interaction designs. However, HCI lacks appropriate measurement instruments to examine and evaluate experiences with technology in terms of their satisfaction (or frustration) of needs. Instead, researchers and practitioners frequently use measurement instruments developed in (consumer) psychology that are not tailored to the needs of HCI. Here we report on the development of the User Needs Scales (UNeedS), a set of scales designed to measure the satisfaction and frustration of 13 fundamental needs identified for HCI, and report on our first experiences applying it. Preliminary data indicate good item qualities and internal consistencies, but further research must substantiate these claims. All scales and the full UNeedS are available in the supplemental materials.