Introduction to Cognitive Ergonomics

How do you make a copy from this machine?

What do the symbols mean?

COGNITIVE ERGONOMICS

Focuses on the design of the interface between humans and work in accordance with the user’s cognitive constraints

Applications include design of complex, high-tech, or automated systems.

B-17 Cockpit

COGNITIVE ERGONOMICS

Cognitive ergonomics assumes that your physical setting affects your ability to think, to be creative, to make connections. (Source: http://hackvan.com/brain/msg00076.htm )

COGNITIVE ERGONOMICS

Study of all human activities related to knowledge, that influence or are influenced by the design of machines, work systems and objects that people use, the associated work processes, and the environments in which they operate.

The study of human thinking in the work context (Fitter and Sime, 1978)

Cognition

Cognition

Refers to all the processes by which sensory input is transformed, reduced,

elaborated, stored, recovered, and used.

HF vs. Experimental Psych Goal of HF:

To apply knowledge in designing systems that work, accommodating human limits, and exploiting the advantages of a human operator as well

Goal of Experimental Psychology: To uncover the laws of behavior thru

experiments. Experimental design unconstrained by any

requirement for application

IntersectionEngineering psychology is the intersection

of human factors and experimental psychology

Expt’alPsych

HF EngPsych

HF, not Eng Psych There are areas of HF that are not Eng

Psych Physical ergonomics

Work physiology Manual-materials handling Anthropometry Environment: Illumination, atmospheric

conditions, noise, motion Issues of muscle fatigue, whether

someone can fit in a cockpit, how bright the work environment is

HF, not Eng Psych Concern physical properties of

worker’s body, not brain’s information processing capabilities

These are all HF concerns, but are not Eng Psych

Issues in Cognitive Ergonomics

Humans interaction with technology Influence of cognitive tasks in the

interaction with technology Design to ensure well being

A Global Positioning System

How do I make a call?

Good ergonomics may prevent this!

Human-Machine System: Psych View

References

Wickens, C. & Carswell, M. 1997. Information processing, In G. Salvendy Handbook of Human Factors and Ergonomics, John Wiley, NY.

University of Witwatersrand, 2001. Cognitive ergonomics introduction, [Online] Available: http://www.wits.ac.za/fac/arts/psychology/psyc212.html (15 January 2003)