A working model to increase awareness of social impact

Designers are not always aware of all social consequences of technology, despite practicing usercentred research. With the introduction of disruptive technologies intended and unintended social impacts can be expected, therefore they need to be anticipated. But in general design practices social impacts are completely overlooked. An awareness of the need to anticipate social impacts will not develop automatically. For this purpose a model of awareness has been developed. The model has been evaluated by 12 students. It appeared that the students were able to use the working model, but it turned out to be difficult to imagine changing social practices. It was therefore concluded that students need to increase understanding of the complexity of social practices.