Cognitive Ergonomics - Prelim Topics Outline PDF

cognitive ERGONOMICS also known as Human Factors in Cognitive Engineering, is the scientific discipline that focuses on the design and evaluation of systems, products, and environments to optimize human cognitive performance, well-being, and overall productivity. It was...

cognitive ERGONOMICS also known as Human Factors in Cognitive Engineering, is the scientific discipline that focuses on the design and evaluation of systems, products, and environments to optimize human cognitive performance, well-being, and overall productivity. It was all about the interaction between human and system that considers the human abilities and limitations. Significance of cognitive ergonomics Enhances user experience Reduces errors and accidents Increases productivity Improves overall well-being KEY COGNITIVE PROCESSES Perception Attention Memory Decision Making Learning COGNITIVE LOAD - The amount of mental effort required for a task. *Cognitive Ergonomics aims to minimize cognitive load in design. RECENT ADVANCEMENTS Advances in neuroscience have allowed researchers to gain deeper insights into the brain's cognitive processes during various tasks, enabling the development of more neurologically compatible designs. Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) AI-driven systems can adapt in real-time to user behavior, reducing cognitive load and improving the overall user experience in various applications, such as chatbots and personal assistants. Cognitive Ergonomics has seen significant growth in healthcare settings, with research focusing on optimizing healthcare technology interfaces, reducing medical errors, and enhancing patient care. The automotive industry has embraced Cognitive Ergonomics to create safer and more user-friendly vehicle interfaces, including advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous vehicles. APPLICATIONS OF COGNITIVE ERGONOMICS ❑ Healthcare: Enhancing medical device interfaces. ❑ Automotive: Designing user-friendly infotainment systems. ❑ Aviation: Improving pilot training and cockpit design. ❑ Education: Enhancing e-learning platforms. ❑ Human-Computer Interaction: Creating user-friendly software and interfaces. ATTENTION Attention is a complex cognitive function which is essential for human behavior. Attention is a selection process for an external or internal event which has to be maintained at a certain level of awareness. It deals with how you mentally process specific information present in your environment that you are experiencing through your five senses. TYPES OF ATTENTION Selective Attention - It is the capacity to choose only one of the different stimuli or factors that are present and concentrate on it. Divided Attention - Is the ability to process two or more responses or react two or more different demands simultaneously. It is often referred to as multi-tasking. Alternating Attention - Is the ability of mental flexibility that allows you to shift your focus of attention and move between task having different cognitive requirement. Sustained Attention - Is the ability to focus on one specific task for a continuous amount of time without being distracted. It is probably what you think when you hear the words attention, focus, concentration or vigilance. MEMORY ▪ Memory is our ability to encode, store and retain and subsequently recall information and past experiences in the human brain ▪ Helps us recognize our loved ones, recall joyful moments, define basic functions as how to talk, walk, eat, etc. ▪ Memory is related to but distinct from learning, which is the process by which we acquire knowledge of the world and modify our subsequent behavior. Memory is built and retrieved in three different ways: RECALL – measure of memory in which the person retrieves information learned earlier RECOGNITION – a measure of memory in which the person has to only identify the previous learned information RELEARNING – a measure of memory that assess the time saved while learning material again TYPES OF MEMORY Sensory Memory - It acts as a kind of buffer for stimuli received through the five senses of sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch. Short-term Memory - Acts as a kind of “scratch-pad” for temporary recall of the information which is being processed at any point in time, and has been referred to as “the brains past-it notes. Long-term Memory - Intended for storage of information over a long period of time. Declarative Memory (Explicit Memory) - Is memory of facts and events, and refers to those memories that can be continuously recalled. Procedural Memory (Implicit Memory) Is the unconscious memory of skill and how the things, particularly the use of objects or movements of the body. Episodic Memory Stores personal experiences that occurred at particular times and places. Semantic Memory  Is more structured record of facts, meanings, concepts and knowledge about the external world that we have acquired Human Information Processing Model Organization of Thinking (This Part is the Asynchronous mode last typhoon Enteng) The organization of thinking refers to how individuals’ structure and process their thoughts and mental representations to: make sense of the world solve problems engage in cognitive activities It encompasses various cognitive processes and strategies that help individuals manage and manipulate information efficiently. CONCEPT FORMATION ❑ The process of categorizing and grouping objects, ideas, or experiences based on shared characteristics. It involves identifying common features and creating mental representations (concepts) that simplify the way we think about the world. ❑ Concepts help organize thinking by allowing us to generalize and make inferences. For example, the concept of "bird" includes various species with different characteristics, yet we can think about them collectively due to their shared features like wings and beaks. SCHEMAS ❑ mental frameworks or templates that help individuals organize and interpret information. They are based on prior knowledge and experiences. ❑ guide thinking by providing a structured framework for processing new information. For instance, if you have a schema for a "restaurant," it includes expectations about menus, seating, and service, which helps you organize your thoughts and actions when you visit a restaurant. Mental Models ❑ cognitive representations of how something works or is structured. They help individuals understand complex systems or processes. ❑ organize thinking by providing a simplified and coherent representation of a system, making it easier to make predictions or decisions. For example, a mental model of how a car engine works helps you understand how it functions and diagnose problems. Problem Solving Heuristics ❑ cognitive shortcuts or rules of thumb that people use to simplify problem-solving and decision-making. ❑ help individuals make quicker judgments but can also lead to biases and errors. ❑ organize thinking by providing efficient problem-solving strategies. Common heuristics include the availability heuristic (judging likelihood based on readily available information) and the representativeness heuristic (making judgments based on similarity to a prototype). METACOGNITION ❑ refers to thinking about one's own thinking. It involves self-awareness of cognitive processes, including monitoring and regulating one's thoughts and learning strategies.  ❑ helps organize thinking by allowing individuals to plan, set goals, assess progress, and adjust strategies as needed. It facilitates effective learning and problem-solving. MIND MAPPING AND VISUALIZATION ❑ Mind mapping and visual representations (e.g., diagrams, charts, graphs) are techniques for organizing and representing complex information visually. They help individuals see relationships and patterns. ❑ These techniques organize thinking by providing a visual structure that enhances understanding, memory, and communication of information. METACOGNITIVE KNOWLEDGE ❑ Metacognitive Awareness: The ability to recognize and monitor one's cognitive processes as they occur. ❑ Metacognitive Strategies: Knowledge of various cognitive strategies that can be applied to control and enhance learning and problem-solving. ❑ Knowledge about Task: Understanding the nature of the task, its requirements, and the strategies that are most suitable for accomplishing it effectively. Signal Detection Theory (SDT) is a framework used to understand how individuals differentiate between signal (the presence of a stimulus) and noise (background stimuli) in uncertain environments. It originated in the field of psychophysics and has applications across various domains, including psychology, medicine, and communications. Key Components of Signal Detection Theory 1. Signal and Noise: SDT posits that every decision-making process involves a signal (the target stimulus) and noise (irrelevant stimuli). The ability to detect the signal amidst noise is influenced by the individual's sensitivity and decision criteria. 2. Hit, Miss, False Alarm, and Correct Rejection: The outcomes of a detection task can be categorized into four types: Hit: Correctly identifying the presence of a signal. Miss: Failing to identify a present signal. False Alarm: Incorrectly identifying a signal when none is present. Correct Rejection: Correctly identifying the absence of a signal. 3. Applications: SDT is widely used in various fields, such as: Medical Diagnostics: Evaluating the effectiveness of tests in distinguishing between healthy and diseased states. Psychology: Understanding perceptual processes and decision-making under uncertainty. JUDGMENT Refers to the cognitive process of forming an opinion, belief, or decision based on the evaluation of information. It encompasses a wide range of theories and approaches, including cognitive, social, and moral judgments. PREJUDICE - Comes from the word “pre-judge”. In other words, an unfair and unreasonable opinion or feeling, especially when formed without enough thought or knowledge. - Preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience. BIAS - in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another, usually in a way considered to be unfair. - distortion of judgement cause to feel or show inclination or prejudice for or against someone or something. VIGILANCE refers to the ability to maintain attention and remain alert to detect infrequent or unexpected events over prolonged periods. It is crucial in various contexts, such as monitoring tasks in aviation, security, and healthcare. Factors Influencing Vigilance 1. Task Demands: The nature of the task, including its complexity and the frequency of signals, significantly impacts vigilance performance. Tasks that require sustained attention can lead to fatigue and decreased alertness. 2. Individual Differences: Factors such as personality traits, motivation, and prior experience can influence an individual's vigilance levels. For instance, highly motivated individuals may maintain attention better than those who are less engaged. 3. 3. Environmental Conditions: External factors, such as noise, lighting, and interruptions, can affect vigilance. A conducive environment can enhance alertness, while distracting conditions may impair performance.  4. 4. Theoretical Models: Various models, such as the Signal Detection Theory and the Theory of Relative Judgment, provide insights into the cognitive processes underlying vigilance. These models emphasize the role of internal standards and decision thresholds in detecting signals amidst noise. Try To Answer: (Review) 1. Critical thinking primarily involves: a. Accepting information without question b. Evaluating and analyzing information c. Creating new concepts d. Applying heuristics to problems 2. When someone employs divergent thinking, they are most likely: a. Focusing on a single solution b. Narrowing down options systematically c. Generating multiple creative solutions d. Using algorithms to solve a problem 3. Which of the following is NOT a key aspect of schema theory? a. How existing knowledge structures influence new learning b. How concepts are formed and categorized c. How critical thinking skills are developed d. How mental models are constructed 4. The ability to recognize when one's thinking is biased or incomplete is a key element of: a. Creative thinking b. Metacognition c. Concept formation d. Problem-solving heuristics 5. Which cognitive skill is primarily associated with mind mapping? a. Critical thinking b. Memorization c. Abstract reasoning d. Visual perception 6. In cognitive ergonomics, visualization techniques can be used to improve task performance by: a. reducing the need for breaks b. making tasks less physically demanding c. providing a clearer mental representation of complex information d. increasing workplace-awareness 7. Which of the following is a key benefit of using mind maps in problem-solving tasks? a. encouraging linear thinking b. increasing creativity c. enhancing organization and idea connections d. reducing cognitive effort 8. How can the practice of visualization contribute to cognitive ergonomics in a virtual work environment? a. By eliminating the need for breaks b. By making virtual tasks more complex c. By reducing cognitive load in virtual settings d. By increasing distractions in virtual environments 9. Which cognitive skill is most closely associated with the effective use of mind maps and visual aids in presentations? a. Spatial reasoning b. Analytical thinking c. Verbal communication d. Creativity 10. It encourages sound judgments and reduces reliance on cognitive biases. a. Critical thinking  b. Creative thinking c. Metacognition d. Problem solving heuristics 11. Which term in Signal Detection Theory refers to the tendency to categorize a weak signal as a non-signal? a. Criterion b. Sensitivity c. Bias d. Detection 12. In Signal Detection Theory, increasing the criterion will likely result in: a. Higher sensitivity b. Lower sensitivity c. No change in sensitivity d. Increased false alarms 13. What term is used to describe the ability to distinguish between two very similar stimuli in Signal Detection Theory? a. Sensitivity b. Discrimination c. Criterion d. Sensory threshold 14. If you decrease the sensory threshold in Signal Detection Theory, what is likely to happen to the rate of false alarms? a. Increase b. Decrease c. Stay the same d. Cannot be determined 15. In Signal Detection Theory, if you increase the criterion, what is likely to happen to the hit rate? a. Increase b. Decrease c. Stay the same d. Cannot be determined 16. In Signal Detection Theory, if the sensitivity index (d') is negative, what does this suggest? a. High sensitivity to signals b. High sensitivity to noise c. Poor discrimination ability d. Low response bias 17. Which measure in Signal Detection Theory is primarily concerned with the individual's willingness to respond "yes" to a signal? a. Sensitivity index (d') b. Response criterion c. False alarm rate d. Sensory threshold 18. In Signal Detection Theory, what does a low hit rate combined with a low false alarm rate suggest about an individual's performance? a. High sensitivity b. High bias c. Low discrimination ability d. Low criterion 19. Which model(s) offer the most valuable insights for interface designers? a. Wickens' Model provides valuable insights for interface designers, emphasizing the importance of short-term memory. b. Welford Model offers the most valuable insights for interface designers, focusing on sensory input processing. c. Whiting's Model is the most relevant model for interface design, as it addresses central executive functions. d. None of the models provide relevant insights for interface design. 20. In the context of Wickens' Model, explain how the concept of "interference" can impact memory retrieval and provide an example of interference in a real-life situation. a. Interference occurs when new information disrupts the retrieval of older memories. An example is when learning a new phone number interferes with recalling the old one. b. Interference only affects sensory memory and has no impact on memory retrieval. c. Interference strengthens memory recall, making it easier to retrieve information. d. Interference is a concept exclusive to Welford's Model.