Interactivity vs. Interaction — What's the Difference?

Across the many fields concerned with interactivity, including information science, computer science, human-computer interaction, communication, and industrial design, there is little agreement over the meaning of the term "interactivity", but most definitions are related to interaction between users and computers and other machines through a user interface. Interactivity can however also refer to interaction between people.

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.

The process of two people or things working together and influencing each other

The act or process of interacting.

The quality of being interactive.

The state of undergoing interaction.

(Physics) See fundamental interaction.

The situation or occurrence in which two or more objects or events act upon one another to produce a new effect; the effect resulting from such a situation or occurrence.

A conversation or exchange between people.

Intermediate action.

Mutual or reciprocal action or influence; as, the interaction of the heart and lungs on each other.

The effect, such as exertion of a force, that one object exerts on another, especially the capture or emission of a particle.

Communication between people, or the actions of people that affect others.

A mutual or reciprocal action; interacting

(physics) the transfer of energy between elementary particles or between an elementary particle and a field or between fields; mediated by gauge bosons