Human Factors Psychology in HCI

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary focus of experimental psychology?

The primary focus of experimental psychology is the scientific study of mind, brain, and behavior.

How does human factors psychology contribute to the design of technological systems?

Human factors psychology contributes by examining human capabilities and constraints to inform better system design.

Name two cognitive issues that must be considered in human factors psychology.

Two cognitive issues are memory (including span and retrieval) and attention capacity.

What should be considered to make software accessible to users?

Considerations should include visual perception, cognitive load, and alternative input devices. Signup and view all the answers

What key aspects should designers consider to improve user interaction with computer applications?

Designers should consider the cognitive processes of users, including their mental models and ability to process information effectively. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to understand users in the context of technology interaction?

Understanding users is essential because interacting with technology involves cognitive processes that can vary widely among individuals. Signup and view all the answers

What are the main components of 'Human Factors' in the context of HCI?

Human Factors involve both behavioral variables, such as psychological constraints affecting information processing, and non-behavioral variables, like physical constraints that impact user interaction with controls. Signup and view all the answers

How does cognition play a role in interaction design according to the content discussed?

Cognition plays a role in interaction design by informing how users understand, learn, and remember the functions of a system, shaping the overall usability and effectiveness. Signup and view all the answers

What frustrations do typical users experience with computer programs, and what does this reveal about design considerations?

Typical users often feel frustrated with non-user-friendly programs, which indicates that designers may not adequately consider the users' needs and abilities during development. Signup and view all the answers

In what way does Human Factors differ from Experimental Psychology?

Human Factors focuses specifically on how humans interact with systems and tools in practical settings, while Experimental Psychology studies cognitive and behavioral processes in controlled environments. Signup and view all the answers

What cognitive processes should be considered in interaction design?

Attention, perception, and memory are key cognitive processes to consider. Signup and view all the answers

How does attention influence user interaction with interfaces?

Attention allows users to select relevant information from competing stimuli, aiding focus on tasks. Signup and view all the answers

What design strategies can improve attention on an interface?

Using color, ordering, spacing, and minimizing clutter can enhance attention. Signup and view all the answers

What role does perception play in interaction design?

Perception transforms information from the world into experiences that users can understand. Signup and view all the answers

Why did the second screen in Tullis's study lead to faster search times?

The second screen was organized into vertical categories, which made information easier to locate. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Human Computer Interaction (HCI)

HCI is a field that examines the human side of interaction design for computers, applications, and hardware.
The goal is to design interaction that is effective, considering users and human capabilities in general.
HCI is based on "Human Factors", a broader study area examining user considerations for all tools.
It studies how humans accomplish work tasks in the context of human-machine interactions, behavioral and non-behavioral variables that impact tasks.
- "Behavioral" constraints relate to psychology, information processing in humans
- "Non-behavioral" constraints relate to physical capabilities of humans in a work context.
Human Factors professionals design models of human performance for designers of human-machine systems.
Contributing fields to HCI include Engineering, Engineering Psychology, Physiology & Medicine, and Experimental Psychology.

Cognition and Mental Models

Cognition is the scientific study of the mind, brain, and behavior, encompassing why humans think and behave as they do.
Applying cognition to interaction design includes understanding human capabilities and issues involving perception, interpretation, memory, and other aspects.
Mental models are how users perceive and understand systems, based on actions, reactions, perceptions of interactions
- Users create mental models through learning and experience using a system.
  - A critical part of creating these mental models pertains to how to use the system (how to respond), how the system works, and expectations of what can happen in the system (what to do in unusual interactions).
There are varying degrees of mental models.
- Some are high-level plans (overall problem-solving in a system), sometimes low-level motor actions of using a system (e.g. pressing a button).
Everyday scenarios reveal expected and unexpected mental models when interacting with a system.
- e.g., scenarios with a thermostat controlled room, oven, or another appliance.
Norman's theory of action proposes seven stages, not all steps necessarily followed in order.

Memory

Memory involves encoding information and retrieving knowledge.
Humans do not retain all information; selection and processing of attended information are key to memory retention
- Context is important in how we remember things (e.g., where and when).
Recognition memory (identifying information) is usually easier than recall (reconstructing information)
Short-term memory (working memory) is limited to 7 ± 2 items.
- Designers can be misled into applying this to information design (e.g., showing only 7 items on a menu, but there are ways in which users scan information that is more helpful in designs).
Sensory memory has limited duration (< 1 second).
Long-term memory has near unlimited duration.
Effective interface design should actively support recognition memory.

Activities and Examples

Activities provided in lecture demonstrate the importance of using memory to design interfaces and the impact of interface designs on how well people accomplish tasks.
Specific examples provided include identifying differences in reading speed based on various design attributes (e.g. organization of text), determining the effectiveness of using memory and perception in HCI, the theory of action to understand how users engage with systems, and designing interfaces that reduce cognitive load or processing demands on memory.

Externalization and Cognitive Load

The role of memory externalization factors (e.g. using devices that store information away from short-term memory, like calendars, planners, shopping lists): reduce cognitive load by externalizing information processing and memory demands.
Information externalization (e.g. use of visual cues, ordering of information to promote information processing, remembering things in context).

Implications for Design

Important design implications highlight the importance of designing representations that are readily perceptible and recognizable (e.g., legible text, easy-to-distinguish icons)
Interface design should avoid overwhelming user's memories with complicated procedures and encourage a reliance on recognition.
Interfaces should be designed to improve recall (e.g., organized lists, categories)

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Description

Explore the critical role of human factors psychology in the design of technological systems and software. This quiz delves into cognitive issues, user interaction improvements, and the significance of understanding users' needs in technology interaction. Learn how these elements contribute to effective human-computer interaction (HCI).