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Welcome to this 25th session of ergonomics for beginners industrial design perspective.
In this current module is the module 5 behavior and perception. Under this module, the class
number 25th that is information processing and perception and its some design relevancies.
Now, last class just on this cognitive ergonomics, aim and application areas, under that we have
discussed last time that cognitive ergonomics is especially important in the design of complex
high tech or automated systems. The stereotypes and product semantics and ergonomic criteria
designing or redesigning a product or a system, the shape, size and overall form, should be
according to the various confirmed and anticipated behavior patterns of a normal user when using
a similar article.
We also discussed that the relation between sensation and feeling and the design appreciation.
There, we should have linking the past experience while thinking for a new design. The psychological
acceptance factor depends on some issues; that is, the product or component in any system
and space thereby should speak out its usefulness and mode of use to their intended users; linking
with users' basic instincts and past knowledge that is the semiotic application. In design,
if we perform this then, the design will be well accepted and it will go for trustworthy
feeling.
So, today is the cognitive ergonomics; that today's session class 25th is that the information
processing and the perceptions and some psychological issues behind this.
Now, we will see this through: there is industrial engineering application system, engineering
application and industrial management application. And, relevant to that now, for industrial
engineering issues we can say that it is being used in, for designing jobs that is determining
the most economic way to perform work. These most economic work ways it means that including
human resources the setting performance standards and benchmarks for quality, quantity and cost,
designing and installing facilities, these issues are covered in these industrial engineering
aspects. Now, the system engineering involves the recognition;
how we recognize different stimuli with its variations, intensity and the meaning behind
it. The recognition, the appreciation of those things and integration of all aspects of an
organization or a facility, these are the system engineering issues.
Now, the industrial management issues it covers that; which is the best way to do the task,
so that no discomfort will be there. Yes, we can reduce the discomfort level either
to be minimized like that; what should constitute a day's work is the limitations. define his
task after a careful study means the compatibility match between the task requirement and the
human resources teach him how to do it. means If the task requires some special attention
then, with the existing information the person has, how he can best utilize that? How to
use the new things? The information provides an incentive in terms of adequate pay or reduced
hours; means, the motivating factors provide an incentive to surpass it. Means, there will
be always positive motivating factors to accept those new things as a challenge; to achieve
the goal. So, these issues are under the industrial management.
Now, we will see that all the things we are discussing, its basic aspect is that understanding
users' characteristics. Now, this figure, the left hand corner of the slide, it says
that the person is holding a mobile phone; so what are the information he should have
in this mobile phone? Characteristics: the structure so that the man can feel a trust
on this design, functionality, reliability, pleasure and finally, the trust value. So,
for that we need to understand the users' characteristics; if it matches with the design
features then, design will be well accepted. What are the things we need to concern? There
is cognition, the learning aspect. How man learns and what are the issues? The common
behavior and specific to the context specific behavior, then performance reliability factors,
the equipment's reliability factors, mechanical reliability to deliver the thing that the
equipment is designed for; that and the reliability of the man; how is reacting on that memory?
How much learning one person can memorize? That is long-term memory and working memory;
long-term memory is that it retains in mind for longer time and when a new thing comes,
new situation comes, it can be retrieved and the working memory is that while doing certain
work at that time whatever what he is learning, he can go on repeating those works but, it
may not retain in mind for longer time if he discontinues the task.
The perception after seeing the product or the area or the design; what the person, that
user perceives. Attention and maintain mental workload situation, awareness, if when the
two things are there in different situations or same situation, what will be the behavior
with that product? The decision-making including diagnosis and choice.
Here, the learning and error has a good listen learning issues and why people do errors and
what are the possibilities of the errors? Now, with this we should see that what is
the performance value? What is the performance? Performance is that information input processing
speed and accuracy; this under linking for the performance.
Now effect is the motion action translation of the road signals, etcetera. How driver
selects right action on brake, steering, etcetera. Human cognition in terms of information processing,
must pass through some stages beginning with input and ending with output. This input maybe
through different senses and output either from mental output or a motor output that
is with some activities like that. Mind matter is the software whereas, the body
is hardware. Now, things comes, reaction time; the reaction time is that suppose, something
is coming to us, to me and that information when it comes to me to judge or something
and then, react on that so that time is the reaction time.
So, if we can reduce this reaction time then obviously, the design is better. So, that
as quickly we can recognize what the things and how to act upon that, those things that
is the reaction and the selective attention. Now, there are many items are there or many
information are there; but, as I wish to have, I can select some of the information. Selective
selection like in a railway station, many audio inputs are there like, train departure
and arrival; but I am not listening all the things. It is a masking effect but when the
train number and what train name matches with my requirement that I want to board, I give
my selective attention to that information, that announcement.
So these specific facilities we have that is selective attention. Now, what are the
factors tells me or guides me for this selective attention? That, those are the cognitive ergonomics
issues that we would like to discuss in this. Now, proper input versus irrelevant noise:
that is, sound and others mean the information. Now, environment and other thermal stressors,
vibration, glare affecting cognition, action, performance, these issues and other issues
are the fatigue and the energetics of performance in this relation. So, task induced fatigue
that is, vigilance, task, physiological fatigue, sleep deprivation, time of the day and circadian
rhythms. So, these also affects the performance like when we meet some people at the morning
or in a day time, the way we can receive those people at the time while going to bed at the
night. If the same people come then I may not receive them in the same way because,
the time of the day and the circadian rhythm does not allow me to perform throughout the
whole the same way to receive the information and to act upon that.
So, accordingly if we make design then it will be well accepted. Now, the motion that
is jet lag, shift work, adaption of fatigue. Fatigue in one task, may not be to others.
So, change of task maybe possible; lifestyle and performance; like caffeine stimulates
but, not same way to everybody. So, there are individual variations. Now, if we understand
these individual variations and a group specific behavior pattern that is stereotype and accordingly,
if we select the design features then it will be well accepted.
Now, the cognitive skill and physical skill: this cognitive skill and physical skill it
is predominated mode of activity and a judgment on the level of skill will be made on the
basis of the judged quality of solution to the problem. Like, goal keeper's task is a
combination of cognitive decision-making and planning which will be supported by the motor
skill; that is, coordinated action. Training is necessary. Stress arousal and performance
relation. We should understand now role of motivation and expectancy of success, value
of success, casual attributes and goal-setting. These are the some issues that we need to
consider.
Now, individual differences like sex, age, mood, anxiety, religion and social issues
that is culture, it has relation with the performance attributes of skill acquisition;
like in certain cases the black color is not auspicious; in some group it is auspicious.
Also, now for those it is not auspicious, in that case, if we give a design with that
color they may not like it. So, this is the social issues and religious issues kind of
thing. Now, the prediction of proficiency and aptitude:
the role of knowledge is there. If I do not know this matter then, how I can appreciate
it? So, we have to judge the users groups capabilities; then accordingly, if we give
the things then it will be well accepted. Otherwise, due to that lack of knowledge it
may not be used. The knowledgeable and informed person and situation is required to be considered.
There are some persons as biological by genetic excellence performer and some are information
processing memory performer. Some people can do better mathematics calculations and some
people can do field work with the physical activities.
So, now if we want to develop a certain product that a memorable, if the person information
processing performer that is, memory related man, for him then it may not be suitable for
a person who does the physical skill work like that. But, in certain cases we have to
make a balance like, why do we make a mobile telephone? It will be equally used by information
processing performer as well as biological excellence performer that is a physical person.
We have to make a judgment for whom we are designing the products; an intentional that
is control over which mind chooses not to perform; or modified: that type of performer
we also need to consider. Now, we will see that higher level properties of perception.
Now, we perceive a structured world in a meaningful way. Whatever we see we try to understand
some meaning behind it. So, that can be used for some other ways. The perceptual organization:
it is particularly important for the design of any visual display. If a symbol on a street
sign is incorrectly organized, it may well go unrecognized. Similarly, if a warning signal
is grouped perceptually with other displays then its message maybe lost.
In this case, we can cite some examples. Like, in this figure, in the right hand side figure,
3 birds are sitting. From a distance if we see them, we may miss these birds but, if
any one bird they start moving their wings or they start jumping or flying like that
then it draws our attention. So, in a harmonious group of many items if something is different
then it draws our attention. So, accordingly in a panel if there are many indicator lamps
they are of some colors but, if to indicate some specific function if a specific indicator
glows little higher intensity or it is flickers, it draws our attention; so that has to be
practiced. Another thing; some unusual appearances also
draws our attention like, suppose in a marketplace in the morning; when people go to that marketplace
in previous night there was a storm and rain. So, in a shop a shopkeeper - he suddenly noticed
that many people are entering into his shop in comparison to other days and whoever is
entering they are just inquiring whether there was any damage or something due to the storm.
So, after certain period of time that shopkeeper thought that, what is the matter? Why they
are asking all the things and why it happens? He came out of his shop and he saw that the
signboard at that shop it is upside down due to the storm. So, all other signboards in
other shops almost remained as it was - normal condition.
So the people whoever visiting that marketplace they found that, why it has done. Perhaps,
so the inquisitiveness to a different met of a thing. So, this matter if we can use
then it will be useful to draw your attention but, sometimes what has happened, some false
items are also provided in it to draw the attention. Like, you know that in some advertisement
it is said that a so the double benefit of some insurance policy. So, what they do? what
Just like this: suppose, this is a pot and this is an open mouth. So, when you tilt it
then water should come from here. Now, they said that double mouth double spout. So, what
has happened if you do it? Then, double water should come out; double amount of water. The
thing is that when it is full, both can be operative. When the content is less then,
if you do it only the lower one will be active; it may not be active.
But, when you see the figure, this positive effect and in not possible effect, both give
a combined feeling to you so that, you are attracted to see this advertisement. This
maybe, possible, that type of things. Sometimes, what is happened? Some thought like that.
If I want to write a passage at work advertisement there if I say that 'keep your luggage ready'.
Now, if we see that keep your luggage ready, people may not see it properly but, if I write
it 'k double e p y o u r l g g a g r a c h', then people see. People are very much intelligent
to recognize the mistakes. So, while seeing this they will see that whether it is a mistake
and the rest all are good words, no problem. So then, they will try to understand, recognize
what it is then. Actually, they will find out this thing; so this is to draw attention.
So, similar type of activities may be used.
Human factors for better design utility and productive performance: now here, the human
being is complex enterprise where information processing, learning process, language and
communication, problem solving, mental representation, planning process, decision-making, memory,
etcetera, all are related. It is by incorporating scientific knowledge into the design process
that we can orient sites towards users; so those things we need to consider.
The cognitive ergonomics: that earlier also we said that message encode in design may
man-made or natural through various channels and medium. The message should go to the people
there will be message decode will be decoded by the intended users and destination. It
will go then for people can reject the information or they accept that information. Here, the
transmitter facilitators and transmitter inhibitors are there to make the balance.
Now, which one is more, depending on that the information flows. Like, one thing we
can say that when we enter into a shop floor or a manufactory or a school, there is an
in entrance. It is mentioned that a single word that,' do not spit'; few days people
may follow this information but, if it retains there for a longer time then, it becomes adopted.
People will try to forget that signage and people will start again spitting in the corner
or building corners. So, these are the some aspects we need to consider.
Now we will see this aspect; how the information goes inside? Judgment comes and the activity
starts. If we see through a well-known story, the story goes like that. Let us look for
a story of a deer grazing on a lonely grassy jungle. Suddenly, he feels something he halts.
He stops his eating grass, looks towards the anticipated direction, something has come
to him. He tries to look where from, where the information is coming; sensed - then activation
means his ears become straight; tries to get information. Next, it sees a portion of grass
is waving in front of him; if there is a grassland, a portion of grass is just waving becomes
alert; directs attention to that; finds an image of may be a tiger; some euro scratches
in the green grassland then, alertness, information processing starts judgment stimulate terms
to message reaches to destination that is the mind and then interpretation starts what
it could be. If this information does not match with his
previous knowledge or image of a tiger to be worried of, if it does not match rejection
of that information and he will gaze again. If it matches or gets some linking message,
acceptance for execution means, if it matches from that yellow feeling and something in
that grassland, if it matches with some tiger he has seen earlier then, message acceptance
for execution. Motor function: this is the reflex type; but if it matches or some kind
of linking then he starts running. That is a reflex type through instincts; those are
not governed by intelligence of brain. He is not checking that whether it is a tiger
or something; he just gets a feeling that it may be something that is unusual, dangerous,
he starts running little bit; so, this is the reflex type of activities.
Then he starts running; after feeling moved enough from danger he stops or while running
he turns his head to reconfirm. The information - that is the observation and he judges the
intensity of the situation that is, information reanalysis, analyzing the context fully, he
either stops or accelerates. Feeling being final task is performed means, if while the
reanalyzing - the trip reanalysis of the information while turning head, if he finds that it is
not a tiger then, he stops. Or, if it is a tiger then he will accelerate his running;
so this is the final task performed.
In this stage, many stop many pages of information processing has started. Now, if we try to
analyze this then, let us see how it is being analyzed now, with the cognitive aspect analysis,
user's basic instincts and past knowledge versus semiotic application of information
and message; the motor action and stimuli processing.
So, first deer grazing in a lonely grassy jungle; if he feels something, rejection by
information ignored, chance of accident, pre knowledge matching - that is a recall motor
action is a halt and this is the stimuli process. Then, motor action: ear, eye, head, towards
anticipated direction. It moves information; inquiry starts if there is a safe match. Then
he will if it is safe match; means it is not a tiger-type of feeling, then he will stop
it again and he will start grazing again. But if it matches or something like that doubtful
match those information linking with past knowledge and learning that is a recall grass
waving alertness directs attention image match probably, a tiger information processing immature
judgment stimuli turns to message reaches to destination interpretation linking message
acceptance for execution motor function that is reflex type through instincts no higher
bend involved in this case if it is then motor action is that running in runaway or further
while running feeling moved enough from danger this is the stimuli processing halt and observation
So here, what while halting and what he is observing and what it is going on that stock
taking of information judges intensity of the situation information reanalysis and revalidation
analysis of context then if you the final task perform accelerates feeling or if it
is safe match then stops and through loop action it goes again or the grazing
So in this case there are three levels of activation. There is a activation level 1;
this is the reflex action of this type of task. Second level is that observation. Second
level of that is a stimuli process; in this case, a stimuli process and after that, execution
and acceptance or rejection. The third level of a confirmation; this whole activity is
the cognitive aspect of analysis issues. So, where we are getting confirmed information,
how much information that accelerates us to reach to the final stage, the minimum time
we provide for this design will be better accepted and will be safe and reliable.
Information processing for first activation, then observation, then execution and sub loops
are there. That activation, again observation, execution and it goes to observation. So,
there are many sub loops are there while going for a specific final function then it goes
to the section. This is the cognitive aspect of acceptance
or rejection of a product or space design. It should be compatible to the anticipated
user's information in designing judgment on a cognitive sequence in decision-making. A
tendency towards analyses, characteristics of the task, increase and reliance on intuition
decreases.
Cognitive effort and accuracy is dependent on contextual characteristics and acquired
knowledge based relation; the conceptual cognitive level emphasizes on thinking, decision-making
and problem solving, decision support system of a design of cognitive environment, cognitive
engineering, to be put in design process and is dependent on human information processing
ability. The information that is, a content and layout
of the information, is sensed and then is received by our sensory system is perceived;
that is provided with some meaningful interpretation based on memory of experience and responds
to through a process of action selection that is, decision of what act to make and execution
and acts. Finally, acceptance or rejection will be there. So, information entry through
all the senses - so use most of them where serious operational judgment is required;
that is the stimuli reactor relation.
Now functional limitation are is caused by multiple cognitive and language impairments
that can vary widely from severe retardation to inability to remember that is, aphasia
is not like this; means, while speaking or while doing something I suddenly forget something
and then with some clue I can regain or recall those information; or I can connect that linking
that is the aphasia but, it is not like that. So, that partial language limitations, memory,
perception - short term and remote memory problem in solving that as for example, identifying,
choosing and implementing solutions and evaluating the outcome.
Now conceptual difficulties as per example: sequencing, generalizing previously learned
information, categorizing, cause and effect, abstract concepts comprehension and skill
development - very few assisting type devices are there for people with cognitive impairments.
So, simple information encoding system be used like, use of simple displays, low language
loading, use of patterns so that, people can recognize easily; needing less reaction time
to operate; simple obvious sequences and cued sequences. If we use all those things in a
design item as basic characteristics, while using the design or choosing the design, would
be beneficial and will be useful for us.
Now cognitive strategies and the metacognitive skill and conceptual knowledge; what does
it mean? These are learning mechanism commonly used in problem solving level on learning
hierarchy - is not simply a matter of applying previously learned rules; is also a process
that yields new cognitive strategy. Once it is learnt, it may be transferred to other
kind of learning in a different knowledge domain. So, this is the cognitive strategy
and if we use this then it would be obviously beneficial while accepting a design
Now the metacognitive means the knowledge of about your own thoughts and the factors
that influences your thinking. If these aspects are used while selecting design criterias
then obviously, it will be accepted because it matches; the compatible matches are there.
So, design will be useful now design relevant aspects for information processes capabilities.
Now here, in this left hand side, some aspects, five aspects and the design goals are in right
side. Now, the aspect is one expectation; what it is? The relationship between objects
and responses is compatible with users' expectation. Now, perception: meaningful stimuli are detectable.
Memory: reliance on short, working and long-term memory are minimized. Decision-making: that
is, mitigate maintainer's tendency towards bias in decision-making. Then, semantic memory:
in a noisy location, if anybody writes something, efficiency diminishes, because of the difficulty
of retrieving material from that part of long-term memory concerned with the meaning of words,
etcetera and may be produced by a shift in the confidence with each type of material
recalled, like that is the selective memory and forgetting issues.
So, with this we are ending today's information processing and perception basics. So, the
next session class number 26, we will discuss the cognitive aspects and mental workload
where we will be elaborately discussing the memory matter and how we select the selective
linking's and etcetera. That we will discuss in next class. So, for today this is the course
material; so for next day, will see how it is direct design applications are there.
Thank you very much.