Constructive activity and expansion of the object: cross-fertilization between activity theories

ABSTRACT In activity-oriented ergonomics, developmental issues are discussed in terms of ”constructive activity.” Understanding the link between constructive and productive activities is a considerable challenge. Using two versions of activity theories, we hypothesized that constructive activity is characterized by the expansion of the object of activity within productive activity. An empirical study conducted in anesthesia produced results that describe this expansion during the preparation of anesthesia. Over half of the anesthetists selected a solution they viewed as riskier. Their object was expanded from the situated care production to include their own selves as subjects in development and a form of generalization.