Human Factors 1

Question 1

What does ergonomics mean?

Answer 1

Ergo - work

Nomos- laws

Question 2

Human Factors

Answer 2

human - machine interface
emphasize designs that reduce the potential for human error
-used in psych referring to senses/perception and decision making

Question 3

human factors diciplines

Answer 3

• HF engineering
• Engineering psychology
• Human-Machine interaction
• Cognitive engineering
• industrial/organizational psychology

Question 4

User-centered design

Answer 4

systems designed to fit people

• reduce training time
• minimize human error
• improve comfort, safety and productivity

Question 5

5 words to user -centered

Answer 5

accuracy
self-efficacy
safety
satisfaction
speed

Question 6

Human factors Activities

Answer 6

accident investigation/expert witness
simulation, virtual reality & training
occupational and public health and safety
consumer products
basic and applied research

Question 7

design considerations

Answer 7

affordances 
user stereotypes/expectancies
stimulus-response compatibility
cognitive ability 
sensation and perceptual capabilities
user preferences

Question 8

affordances

Answer 8

relation between an object and or environment and an organism that through a collection of stimuli affords the opportunity for that organism to perform an action
- orientation and or wording that afford behaviours other than those intended

Question 9

affordances etc.

Answer 9

it defines how the object is to be interacted with for ex. handle on a mug
even the orientation of the mug or pot is part of the affordance
**define the interaction

Question 10

problem with affordances

Answer 10

need to consider all stimuli - inconsistencies in physical and visual stimuli may lead to confusion and inappropriate responses
ex. handle usually associated with a pull not push but sign says push

Question 11

more examples of inconsistencies

Answer 11

shower head - which way is to point to the cold/hot
shape and color of recycling bins
car doors
creditcard readers 
opperating systems (computers)

Question 12

False affordance

Answer 12

an apparent affordance that doesnt have a real function, meaning individual perceives nonexistent possibilities for action
example: placebo button (walk sign, close door on elevator)

Question 13

placebo button

Answer 13

a push-button with apparent functionality that actually has no effect when pressed
-can be psychologically rewarding and give the illusion of control

Question 14

hidden affordance

Answer 14

possibilities for action but they are not percieved by the individual example
opening a beer bottle with a remote control

Question 15

User Stereotypes/Expectances

Answer 15

interaction with objects and or environments is impacted by prior experience - a cognitive stereotype to improve or hinder interaction

Question 16

Positive Stereotype

Answer 16

increased quality and reaction time with correct object/environment response

Question 17

Negative Stereotype

Answer 17

decreased quality and increased reaction time when similar object/environment but not same response required

Question 18

Road-User Expectancy

Answer 18

expect a light to go green-yellow-red

adjust speed going into a curve based on experience with other curves

Question 19

Road-User Expectancy

Answer 19

more experience the greater expectancy which can be good and bad
more driving leads to quicker more accurate reactions as long as the expectation is met

Question 20

Road- User Expectancy

Answer 20

sudden changes in conditions violates expectancy and increases likelihood of driver error and increases reaction time becauase the driver takes longer to understand the situation

Question 21

Considering Human Factors in Road Design

Answer 21

• avoid designing roads with sharp curves just over a crest of a hill
• place signs at locations where drivers expect and can see them

Question 22

Stimulus-Response compatibility

Answer 22

the degree to which a person’s perception of the world is compatible with the required action
-described as the naturalness of the association between stimulus and its response
such as a left orientated stim requiring response from the left side

Question 23

Studies about S-R compatibility

Answer 23

rely on natural affordances and stereotype expectancies to determine the natural human decision making
spatial mapping versus color mapping

Question 24

examples of S-R

Answer 24

the dials on your stove not intuitively matching up to the burner (lack of natural mapping)

Question 25

cognitive ability relies on

Answer 25

the type, timing and amount of stimulus present the cognitive fatigue, age, and other contextual factors

Question 26

sensation and perceptual capabilities

Answer 26

deals with how stimuli is delt with by the senses

-determined by visual complexity

Question 27

user preferences

Answer 27

the beaten path