Cognitive Ergonomics and Human-System Interactions

Cognitive Ergonomics

• Cognitive ergonomics explores how mental processes (perception, memory, decision-making) affect human-system interactions, aiming to enhance performance, safety, and user satisfaction.

Importance of Cognitive Ergonomics

• Key to designing systems that match human abilities, reducing errors and stress.
• Emerged post-World War II to address challenges in handling complex machinery.

Course Structure

• Topics include human cognitive abilities, human-computer interaction, and physical stress on cognitive demands.

Impact of Stress

• Physical stress can lead to increased errors and compromised safety.
• Examples: handling machinery during World War II, pilots' challenges due to design flaws in cockpit displays.

Redesigning for Safety

• Redesigning displays reduced accident rates significantly.

Cognitive Skills

• Involve recognition, recall, reasoning, problem-solving, and decision-making at various levels.
• Examples: recognizing traffic signals, understanding signs, problem-solving while crossing roads, and decision-making.

Complexity of Cognition

• Understanding cognitive layers is crucial to enhance efficiency, performance, and safety in tasks.
• Cognition is complex, and individuals vary in their ability to comprehend it.

Cognitive Science

• Multidisciplinary field involving philosophy, language, anthropology, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, and psychology.
• Aims to understand human cognition and decision-making processes.

Cognitive Ergonomics' Focus

• Studies mental processes affecting human-system interaction, enhancing performance, safety, and user satisfaction in system design.
• Focuses on mental processes, work laws, and understanding human cognition.

Inclusive Design

• Designs systems based on user types, gender, and age to support their needs for enhanced performance and efficiency.
• Addresses challenges faced by users, especially the elderly, in handling advanced technology like mobile banking.

Importance of Cognitive Ergonomics

• Enhances user experience, reduces negative situations, and improves system handling.
• Addresses challenges in human cognition, problem definition, and provides solutions.

Benefits of Cognitive Ergonomics

• Helps users perform better under stress, enhances safety, and improves satisfaction, catering to different user types and tasks like driving or crossing roads.