Engineering Psychology Overview

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the main focus of visual search?

Memorizing the layout of a visual display

Scanning for a specific target you expect to find (correct)

Ignoring all distractions in the environment

Identifying all objects in a scene

What principle explains why objects that are closer together are perceived as a group?

Proximity Compatibility Principle (correct)

Similarity Principle

Closure Principle

Continuity Principle

What are the two visual systems involved in depth perception?

Spatial and verbal

Monocular and binocular (correct)

Dynamic and static

Parallel and serial

Why are track up maps preferred for navigation?

They eliminate the need for mental rotation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes ego motion?

Perception of moving through space Signup and view all the answers

What does spatial cognition primarily involve?

Integration of spatial and verbal working memory Signup and view all the answers

What is the main advantage of dynamic displays in visual design?

They enhance display compatibility with mental models Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using color compatibility in visual design?

To enhance information retention Signup and view all the answers

What is a key difference between purely theoretical cognitive psychology and engineering psychology?

Engineering psychology focuses on controlling what matters most. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'Vigilance Decrement' refer to?

Low d', high beta performance. Signup and view all the answers

Which application of Signal Detection Theory (SDT) is considered prototypical?

Response to abnormal findings in medical imaging. Signup and view all the answers

What does the SEEV model predict?

Patterns of visual scanning behavior. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of engineering psychology, what is emphasized when designing systems?

Focusing on variables that significantly impact performance. Signup and view all the answers

What is commonly observed in recognition memory applications relating to eyewitness testimony?

High variability in memory accuracy across different cases. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of human performance is emphasized in engineering psychology?

Speed, accuracy, and attention demands. Signup and view all the answers

What approach is discouraged in engineering psychology compared to cognitive psychology?

Maximizing control over every system variable. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Engineering Psychology and Human Performance

Engineering Psychology focuses on applying psychological principles to system design and training.
Human performance analysis emphasizes speed, accuracy, and attention in relation to design.

Cognitive Psychology vs. Engineering Psychology

Cognitive Psychology offers a pure theoretical perspective
Engineering Psychology focuses on the practical aspects of system design
It is important to use what is known and understood in Cognitive Psychology but apply it to real-world scenarios in Engineering Psychology

Recognition Memory Applications: Eye Witness

Recognition memory is the ability to recognize something, and this is a key component of how eye witnesses recall information.

Vigilance Decrement

Vigilance decrement is the decline in performance over time when tasked with a monotonous task.
The decrement is due to decreasing signal detection ('d') and increasing noise ('beta').
Vigilance decrement is seen as a decrease in sensitivity (d') and an increase in response bias ('beta')
Decreases in performance due to vigilance decrement can be minimized by taking breaks.

Role of Attention in Visual Perception

Attention is crucial for identifying significant environmental stimuli.

Supervisory Control

Human operators can use attention to monitor a complex system.

Supervisory Control and Scanning (SEEV Model)

The SEEV model predicts scanning patterns.
Humans tend to look at areas where they expect to find information, which is often the most pertinent to task completion.
The SEEV model predicts scanning patterns.
The SEEV model predicts scanning patterns.
SEEV stands for Sample, Evaluate, Execute, Verify
SEEV is a model that explains how humans scan information
The SEEV model predicts patterns of scanning.
The SEEV model suggests that we tend to look at areas where we expect to find the most pertinent information.
The SEEV model proposes that we scan information in a cyclical manner, repeatedly sampling, evaluating, executing, and verifying.

Optimal Display Design and Layout

The design and layout of displays should be considered carefully to minimize the need for excessive scanning or attention.
It is important to design displays that are compatible with the mental model of the user.

Visual Search

Visual search is the act of scanning actively for a target in an environment.
Visual search is a common task involving seeking a target in a display.
Performance in visual search is affected by the characteristics of the target and the distractors.

Theories Of Visual Perception and Attention

Theories of visual perception and attention try to explain how we group things in the visual world.
They suggest that we group items based on their proximity, similarity, and common fate.

Divided Attention

Divided attention is performing two tasks at the same time, it often results in a decrease in performance on one or both tasks.

The Proximity Compatibility Principle

The principle suggests that items that are closely located should be related to each other in terms of function or meaning.
The proximity compatibility principle is a design principle to aid in performance.
The proximity compatibility principle encourages the relatedness of items that are geographically close to each other in a display.

3D and Depth Perception

Depth perception relies on binocular cues (using both eyes) and monocular cues (using one eye).

Graphs

Graphs are a useful tool for visualizing information, but they can be misleading if not designed carefully.
Different graph types can be more appropriate for different types of data, depending on the desired outcome.

Dynamic Displays

Dynamic displays, which change over time, need to be designed carefully.
Displays should be compatible with the user's mental model to ensure good performance.
Displays should maintain visual coherence and inform users about the status of the system with respect to the task.

Color compatibility

Color is a useful display element, but it should be used carefully because it can be distracting.
Select colours thoughtfully for displays.
Colors should be chosen to facilitate the user's understanding of the data and enhance performance.

Ego Motion

Ego motion is the perception of self-movement within an environment.
Ego motion involves our internal sense of movement and the sensory feedback that our body provides.

Depth Perception: 2 Visual Systems

Ventral stream: processing object recognition and identification
Dorsal stream: processing spatial information, including depth perception.

Biases in Direct Perception of Egomotion

Our perception of movement can be biased, sometimes we overestimate our movement or we underestimate it.
The world's surrounding environment can sometimes contribute to our bias of perception
The world's surrounding environment can sometimes contribute to our bias of perception

3D Depth Perception

3D depth perception allows us to judge depth and distance.
Binocular disparities: each eye gives a slightly different view of the world, and the brain can use these differences to estimate depth.
Motion parallax: Objects move relative to each other when we move our heads.

Spatial Cognition

Spatial cognition relies on the ability to process spatial information through working memory.
Spatial tasks often engage both spatial and verbal aspects of working memory.

Taxonomy of Spatial Tasks

Spatial tasks can be categorized based on their requirements.
Spatial tasks can be categorized based on their demands on working memory.
Spatial tasks can be categorized based on the degree of complexity in the environment.

3-D Maps: 3-D or Not?

Track-up maps are designed to reduce user mental rotation, making them easier to understand and use.
3D maps should clearly indicate the user's location and orientation within the environment.

Studying That Suits You

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

Description

This quiz explores the principles of Engineering Psychology and Human Performance. It contrasts Cognitive Psychology with Engineering Psychology, emphasizing real-world applications. Topics include recognition memory in eyewitness accounts and the concept of vigilance decrement.