Product developers need to have a profound understanding of human cognition to create technology that provides an exemplary user experience. This comprehension focuses on the dual system model of cognition, says author Rebecca Grier in her article, “Designing Technology with the Human Mind in Mind: Part 1”.
The article breaks down the history of Human Technology Interaction and highlights how greater automation often leads to an increased human workload instead of reducing it. One such example is Tesla’s latest recall. Automation does not replace a human but changes their role. Therefore technology should aim to simplify those roles rather than complicate them.
This necessitates a keen understanding of Human Factors, which includes human abilities and limitations recognized within cognitive and behavioral science. Grier refers to a model described by the psychologist Daniel Kahneman, which breaks down human information processing into two separate systems. One system is “the filter”, which is automatic and intuitive. The second system is “working memory”, which is deliberative and processes what “the filter” deems worth attention.
The interaction between these two systems can heavily impact user experience, primarily through what Grier refers to as the cognitive workload. Experiences are significantly influenced by pattern recognition, which includes heuristics, expertise, stereotypes, or muscle memory, among others.
Rebecca Grier promises her future articles will further elaborate on these topics and cover related subjects like perceptual and cognitive salience in user-friendly system designs and the impact of stress and task demand on human-system performance. According to the author, total system performance depends on how the design of technology influences human behavior and vice versa.
In conclusion, understanding the human mind is crucial for product developers to create user-friendly technology, primarily through comprehending the dual system model of cognition and the role of pattern recognition in enhancing user experience.