Project Title: Evolutionary Understanding
of Human Information Behavior
Project Director: Dr.
Amanda Spink
Research Assistant: James Currier
Since
the beginning of human existence, humankind has sought, organized and used
information as it evolved patterns and practices of human information behaviors
(HIB). However, we have a limited evolutionary or holistic understanding of HIB
over human existence. The major goal of this exploratory research is to model
the holistic evolution of HIB over human existence. Human information behavior
(HIB) is the totality of human behavior in relation to sources and channels of
both active and passive information seeking, information organizing, and use.
Humans have sought, organized, and used information for thousands of years, but
have HIB’s changed and evolved? Most HIB studies do not answer this question
and focus on HIB in a contemporary context. We discuss the emerging
evolutionary HIB approach from within information science, evolutionary
psychology, and cognitive archeology and provide an initial framework and
chronology of studies that have explored aspects of HIB from prehistoric times
to the 21st century.
Spink,
A., & Currier, J. (in press). Toward an evolutionary
perspective on human Information behavior: An exploratory study. Journal of Documentation.
To
provide an insight into the HIB’s of various individuals from the past a qualitative
analysis was conducted of the autobiographies and personal writings of several
historical figures, including Napoleon Bonaparte, Charles Darwin, Giacomo
Casanova and others (Spink & Currier, in press). Findings include evidence of
their HIB’s, including information seeking, information organization and
information use, providing tangible insights into their information-related
thoughts and actions.
Spink, A., & Currier, J. Emerging evolutionary framework
for human information behavior. In: Spink, A., & Cole, C. (Eds.), New Directions in Human Information Behavior.
Springer.
A
chronology of studies investigating HIB throughout the course of human
existence is being developed.
Spink, A., & Currier, J. (2005). Evolutionary
human information behavior. HBES 2005: Human Behavior and Evolution Society
Conference, June 1-5, Austin-Texas.