Reading Response 1
Humans Computers & Cognition
Lenora Giles
Humans Computers Cognition
9.9.09

Research findings from cognitive psychology, when applied to human computer interface design, creates a framework that scaffolds new learning and behavior onto existing knowledge and pre-existing behavior. Knowledge and behavior that humans use to interact with technology is learned or conditioned from prior experiences. The current human conditioning is the result of human computer interaction being an after thought or no thought at all during the design and development of computer hardware and software. This would be a natural tendency for technology providers because when developing and designing computer or other machine interfaces, the dominant point of view guiding development decisions is normally that of the computer science and the finance accounting areas. Getting the technology functional and monitoring the cost to develop it are the primary concerns.

In many instances, the interface designer and content developers are not brought in to do their work until decisions involving hardware, software and their associated costs are already in place and purchased. So the designer is tasked with making decisions around the functionality of the technology even if they would have made different decisions about what technology or media best suited the needs of the user or was sustainable for both the provider and the targeted audience.

The underlying issue about the targeted users is that prior knowledge, access to technology, innate intelligence and the ability to process and use information varies. Raskin (2000) suggests that interface designers can overcome these issues by exploiting common human habits or universal human psychological factors. Norman (1993) suggests that technology should complement human ability by compensating for weaknesses while also enhancing strengths. Raskin (2000) further explains that there are two distinct sets of mental processing or ability: cognitive consciousness and cognitive unconsciousness. Human behaviors and responses are learned consciously then evolve into unconscious behaviors or habits. Good design should take advantage of universal unconscious human behaviors.

According to Sutcliffe (2008) starting with empirical research about human cognitive processing creates a solid framework on which to build the interactive interface and aids in making sound decisions as to what hardware, media and software applications should be used. Consequently costs are controlled because the iterative process of evaluation and redesign are done prior to purchasing materials and developing applications. Decisions about user needs and ability lay the foundation for what technology should be used and how it should support the user in learning or accomplishing tasks.

References

Norman , D. (1993).Things that make us smart. Defending human attributes in the age of the machine. Basic Books: New York.

Raskin, J. (2000). The humane interface. New directions for designing interactive systems. Addison Wesley: Reading.

Sutcliffe, A. (2008). Multimedia user interface design. In A. Sears and J. Jacko (Eds.), The human-computer interaction handbook. Fundamentals, evolving technologies and emerging applications (pp. 413-458). Taylor and Francis Group LLC: New York.