Cognitive Processing & Design Implications

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What cognitive competition arises when drivers engage in conversation?

Editing a video

Listening to music

Imagining the other person's face (correct)

Navigating using a GPS

Why is talking to a front seat passenger considered less dangerous than using a hands-free phone?

Front seat conversations require less attention

Hands-free devices are less distracting

Passenger can see the road conditions (correct)

Passengers are quieter

What design technique can be used to make information more salient?

Limiting text to use only one font type

Using color, ordering, and spacing (correct)

Reducing the number of icons

Increasing text size only

What issue arises when a driver talks to a remote person on the phone?

The remote person can't see the driver's context Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a suggested design implication for effective information perception?

Cluttering visual interfaces Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant implication of how information is perceived?

All text should be easily perceivable Signup and view all the answers

How can effective switching back to an interface be supported?

By reducing the number of actions needed Signup and view all the answers

When engaging in a conversation, what hinders a driver’s response time?

Competing cognitive processing demands Signup and view all the answers

What makes it difficult to recognize your neighbor outside of the apartment building?

Being out of context Signup and view all the answers

Which type of material do people find easier to remember?

Location of objects Signup and view all the answers

According to George Miller's theory, what is the average capacity of immediate memory in terms of options?

7, ± 2 Signup and view all the answers

What is a benefit of graphical interfaces compared to command-based interfaces?

They provide visually-based options for recognition Signup and view all the answers

When designing an interface, how many items does the '7, ± 2' principle suggest should ideally be displayed?

7 items maximum Signup and view all the answers

What type of memory is supported by features like tabs and history lists in web browsers?

Recognition memory Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of arbitrary material people find difficult to remember?

Birthdays Signup and view all the answers

What should designers consider when creating a menu based on Miller's theory?

Limit to only 7 options Signup and view all the answers

What common misconception do people have about the function of thermostats?

They think higher settings will heat a room faster. Signup and view all the answers

Which analogy is commonly misunderstood when people interact with devices like elevators and pedestrian crossings?

They believe pressing buttons makes the system faster. Signup and view all the answers

What type of mental models do users typically have regarding interactive devices?

Erroneous models that are easily confusable. Signup and view all the answers

How can user experience (UX) design improve mental models for users?

By offering clear instructions and contextual guidance. Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'more is more' principle incorrectly imply about user interactions with devices?

That increased settings improve output. Signup and view all the answers

What design technique is suggested to help users locate items more quickly?

Employing color contrast and borders Signup and view all the answers

Which color combination is considered effective for readability on an interface?

Yellow on black Signup and view all the answers

What is the first stage of memory processing according to the content?

Encoding Signup and view all the answers

How do we generally remember items better?

By actively reflecting and discussing Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of context can affect memory retrieval?

Where, when, and how the information was encoded Signup and view all the answers

What impact does excessive white space have on web page design according to the content?

Confuses the search process Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about memory encoding is true?

More attention increases the likelihood of remembering. Signup and view all the answers

What phenomenon might occur when trying to recall information in a different context from which it was learned?

Difficulty in recalling the information Signup and view all the answers

According to the research presented, what method allows for better recognition than recall?

Observing objects with the naked eye Signup and view all the answers

What should be considered for effective visual information grouping?

Distinct icons and proper spacing Signup and view all the answers

What is one common approach used in personal information management?

Employing folders and naming conventions Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following strategies could help users retrieve their files effectively?

Using strong organizational methods for storage Signup and view all the answers

What is one key feature of smart search engines mentioned?

They help locate files with partial names or initial letters Signup and view all the answers

What does multifactor authentication (MFA) require from users?

Providing multiple pieces of personal information Signup and view all the answers

Which of these scenarios is an example of a problem faced by users in personal information management?

Accruing a vast number of various documents and files Signup and view all the answers

What is often preferred by users when searching for something within their information management system?

Scanning across and within folders Signup and view all the answers

What are the three processes in Bergman and Whittaker's model for personal information management?

Deciding what to keep, organizing storage, and retrieving strategies Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect is NOT typically considered when determining how to manage personal information?

The color of the files Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Cognitive Processing & Driving

Talking with a passenger can be less dangerous than talking on a phone because a passenger can see the road and will stop talking in the event of a hazard.
A remote person on a phone call cannot see driving hazards and will continue speaking, making it difficult for the driver to focus on the road.

Design Implications for Attention

Design elements such as color, ordering, spacing, underlining, sequencing, and animation can make information salient (noticeable) at a given stage of a task.
Too much information on a visual interface can be overwhelming, creating clutter and hindering effective switching and returning to an interface.

Design Implications for Perception

Text should be legible and icons should be easily distinguishable and readable.
Research proper color contrast techniques. For example yellow on black or blue is acceptable, but not yellow on green or white.
Bordering and spacing effectively group information visually.

Design Implications for Memory

Context is important for memory, affecting how we remember information.
Encoding determines which information is attended to and how it is interpreted. The more attention paid to something, the more likely it will be remembered.
Recognition is easier than recall. We can usually remember visual cues about things, such as color of items, location of objects, and marks on an object.

Design Implications for Recognition Versus Recall

Graphical interfaces provide visually based options (menus and icons) that users can browse through until they recognize what they need.
Web browsers support recognition memory by providing tabs and history lists of visited URLs.

Is the "7 Plus or Minus 2" Rule Helpful in HCI?

The "7 +/- 2" rule (Miller, 1956) suggests that people's immediate memory capacity is limited to 7 items.
This is not necessarily helpful in HCI design. Users can often scan lists of bullets, tabs, and menu items, so more than seven items can be displayed.

Personal Information Management

People accumulate a vast number of files, which can be difficult to manage and retrieve. Naming is the most common approach to encoding files, but it can be difficult to remember when you have thousands of files.
Bergman and Whittaker (2016) propose a three-step model for managing information: deciding what to keep, how to organize, and how to retrieve.
Folders and naming are the most common approaches to organizing digital content. People tend to scan across and within folders to find something they are looking for.

Erroneous Mental Models

People often form incorrect mental models about how devices work. For example:
- People may believe that turning a thermostat higher will heat a room up faster, when it actually works on an on-off switch model.
- People often press elevator and pedestrian crossing buttons multiple times, thinking it will make them work faster.

Designing for Better Mental Models

Clear and easy-to-use instructions, appropriate tutorials, and contextual sensitive guidance can help people build better mental models.
Online videos and chatbot windows can also be helpful for providing assistance when needed.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

This quiz explores the relationship between cognitive processing while driving and the design implications for attention and perception. Understand how different factors, such as communication methods and visual interface elements, can impact focus and clarity. Test your knowledge on effective design techniques that enhance user experience.