Location:

Learning Goals for Psych 335: Human Factors Psychology

Beth Kerr

Course overview:

This course considers the design of tools/equipment, tasks/jobs and work/living environments from the perspective of the person who will use them. We review human perception, cognition, memory, attention, biomechanics, and motor control and learning to address ways to take advantage of users' strengths and to compensate for their limitations. We also consider ways to prevent accidents and injuries and so-called “human error.” We address changes with aging and ways to accommodate the changes. Emphasis is on the application of human factors and ergonomics principles to solve real-world problems (e.g., helping people understanding directions on prescription medicine bottles; helping people figure out how to use self-service checkout stations).

The goals of this course are to give students opportunities:
  1. To gain an understanding of human strengths and limitations by reviewing the literature on human perception, cognition, memory, attention, biomechanics, and motor control/learning.
  2. To gain an understanding of guidelines for displays, controls, anthropometry, office ergonomics, work physiology, and manual material handling.
  3. To appreciate and practice the motto “Honor the User” by employing techniques from psychological research, usability testing, and contextual inquiry to ensure that you are able take advantage of the users’ perspectives. To collect information from users via questionnaires, observation, and interviews; to develop strategies for encouraging users to “talk” – providing you the benefits of their experience.
  4. To write concise reports (called briefings) that summarizes your findings and recommendations for improvement. To organize and analyze your data. To select graphic presentations that direct readers’ attention to important results.
  5. To develop your group-work skills by working with your classmates to analyze applied problems and propose solutions.
  6. To work individually to identify the strengths and weaknesses of a real-world workplace and propose needed changes.

Students will be encouraged to reflect on the information they learn about human factors and ergonomics and apply it to their own lives, homes, workplaces, and the world around them.

Return to Learning Goals