Cognitive ergonomics

Draft

Definition

• “Cognitive ergonomics has to do with how we perceive information and make decisions.” (MacLeod, 2006).

• “Ergonomics is sometimes described as "fitting the system to the human," meaning that through informed decisions; equipment, tools, environments and tasks can be selected and designed to fit unique human abilities and limitations.... Cognitive ergonomics, on the other hand, focuses on the fit between human cognitive abilities and limitations and the machine, task, environment, etc. Example cognitive ergonomics applications include designing a software interface to be "easy to use," designing a sign so that the majority of people will understand and act in the intended manner, designing an airplane cockpit or nuclear power plant control system so that the operators will not make catastrophic errors.” (Budnick and Michael, 2001).

Rules

MacLoad's webpage identifies the following ground rules:

• Standarize, i.e. ensure that similar devices work the same way.
• Use stereotypes. A stereotype in this context is a commonly held expectation of what people think is supposed to happen when they recognize a signal or activate a control.
• Link actions with perceptions, i.e aim for compatibility between a display of information and a control. In other words, an item should "tell" a person what he is supposed to do.
• Present information in appropriate detail (neither too much, neither not enough).
• Simplify presentation of information.
• Present clear images, i.e. the message should be visible, distinguishable from sourrounding information and interpretable.
• Use redundancies
• Use patterns, e.g. charts instead of numbers,
• Provide variable stimuli (to avoid that users' senses fatigue)
• Provide instantaneous feedback (this is also helps to prevent misunderstandings).

It does seem to DSchneider that some of these guidelines may conflict (Authors' who will write this article may look into this ...

Links

• European Association of Cognitive Ergonomics

References

• Peter Budnick and Rachel Michael (2001), What is Cognitive Ergonomics, Ergonomics Today (Ergoweb.com). HTML, retrieved 16:37, 9 June 2006 (MEST).

• MacLeod, Dan (2006), Cognitive Ergonomics, Making Sense with Design, HTML, retrieved 16:37, 9 June 2006 (MEST).

Ergonomics and human-computer interaction