Interaction

From Encyclopedia Jr, free information reference for Kids

For other uses, see Interaction (disambiguation).

Interaction is a kind of action that occurs as two or more objects have an effect upon one another. The idea of a two-way effect is essential in the concept of interaction, as opposed to a one-way causal effect. Combinations of many simple interactions can lead to surprising emergent phenomena. Interaction has different tailored meanings in various sciences.

Casual examples of interaction outside of science include:

• communication of any sort, for example two or more people talking to each other, or communication among groups, organisations, nations or states: trade, migration, foreign relations, transportation,
• the feedback during the operation of machines such as a computer or tool, for example the interaction between a driver and the position of his or her car on the road: by steering the driver influences this position, by observation this information returns to the driver.

[edit] Chemistry and medicine

In medicine, most medications can be safely used with other medicines but particular combinations of medicines need to be monitored for interactions, often by the pharmacist. In molecular biology, the knowledge on gene/protein interaction among themselves and with their metabolites is referred to as molecular pathways.

Interactions between medications fall generally into one of two main categories; pharmacodynamic (involving the actions of the two interacting drugs), and pharmacokinetic (involving the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of one or both of the interacting drugs upon the other).

Sometimes two or medications are used together to create an extra effect - e.g. two different pain killers to provide more complete pain control. These interactions are usually intentional but need to be monitored by the doctor because patients can end up with more effect than is actually required.

Sometimes two or more medications work against each other. These interactions are usually well-known and avoided unless both medicines are essential. Careful monitoring is used to prevent problems from the results of the interaction.

Other interactions may cause one medicine to have less or more effect than expected and these are usually managed by a dosage adjustment.

[edit] Communications

Main article: Interactivity

In communications, interactive communication occurs when sources take turns transmitting messages between one another. This should be distinguished from transactive communication, in which sources transmit messages simultaneously.

[edit] Media art

In media, interactivity is a feature of the media in question and as digital technology becomes more accessible to the masses interest in interactivity is increasing and becoming a cultural trend especially in the arts. Interactivity can exist in virtual spaces or in real space. With virtual interaction the interaction usually takes place in the space of a computer with the monitor providing visual cues and the keyboard and mouse allowing interaction. In physical space the interaction usually involves sensors, actuators and computer systems with code that allow interactive systems to respond to human position, touch and sound.

[edit] Physics

In physics, an interaction or force specifically refers to the action of one physical object upon another and results in a potential energy - the physical objects under consideration may range from point particles to quantum fields. For example, the interaction of charged particles takes place through the mediation of electromagnetic fields, whereas beta decay occurs by means of the weak interaction. There are believed to be four fundamental interactions in Nature.

[edit] Sociology

Main article: Social interaction

In sociology, social interaction is a dynamic, changing sequence of social actions between individuals (or groups) who modify their actions and reactions due to the actions by their interaction partner(s). Social interactions can be differentiated into accidental, repeated, regular, and regulated. Social interactions form the basis for social relations.

[edit] Psychology

In Psychology, Interaction is used to describe how one variable has had an effect on the another. E.g If the 2 variables were sex v premature birth we would desribe any difference in scores between sex's as a MAIN EFFECT, Smiliarly any difference in scores of full term/premature birth would be described as a MAIN EFFECT. When describing the scores one variable compared to the other this is describing the INTERACTION as the sets of scores are in effect different varibales interacting with one another.

[edit] Statistics

Main article: Interaction (statistics)

In statistics, an interaction is a term in a statistical model in which the effect of two, or more, variables is not simply additive.

[edit] See also

• Connectivity
• Game semantics
• Gordon Pask Conversation and Interactions of Actors Theory
• Interaction design pattern
• Interaction Design
• Interactive computation
• Interactivity
• Transaction
• Dehydron