Cognitive Scales and Mental Models for Inclusive Design

Abstract

Abstract. In keeping with a user capability and product demand approach to product assessment, this paper examines the cognitive demands placed on users when interacting with consumer products. The eventual aim is to develop a set of cognitive capability scales that could be used in the analytical evaluation of product interfaces. We explore the dimensions of cognitive capability relevant to product interaction and describe how these may be used to evaluate a given design. ??Further work addresses quantitative measurement of cognitive capabilities and predictive validation of capability scales.

Spectator understanding of error in performance

“…Perception directly facilitates understanding by mediating the flow of information from the environment to the spectator. We consider perception to be the inverse impedance of this transfer of information, influenced by attention [11] (incorporating arousal [13]), sensory perception [16] and expectation (heightening low level sensory processes [13]). …”

Developing computational design creativity systems

“…A computational system might assess the product's D.C. Brown 50 usability by looking at the patterns of interaction with a user and evaluating the physical and cognitive difficulty of each interaction (Persad, Langdon, Brown, & Clarkson, 2007), or it might use the known affordances of certain features of the product (Brown & Blessing, 2005).…”

Modeling Users, Context and Devices for Ambient Assisted Living Environments

“…Persad et al [ 27 , 28 ] relate user capabilities and product demands as a tool to evaluate the product design. Inclusive design is defined as follows [ 2 ]:…”

“…In a particular toaster case study, the sensory, cognitive and motor product demands are compared with different users capability levels. Authors remark four main components to consider when it comes to interaction between people and technology: (1) the user; (2) the product; (3) the environment or context and (4) the set of activities or tasks that define the interaction [ 28 ]. They try to assess an adaptation degree between users and the designed products using different compatibility measures.…”

“…Similarly, other combinations of product attributes command several cognitive and motor demands. Authors also reviewed functional classifications and experimental studies to identify the most relevant low-level skills for designing products within the cognitive, motor and sensory domain [ 28 ].…”