Chapter 04.2 - Perception, Problem Solving and Decision Making

Question 1

Perception sources

Answer 1

2 sources:

1. Information available through our senses
2. Accumulated knowledge of the perceiver stored in memory

Question 2

Perceptual processes

Answer 2

Quite flexible (mirror image)
Responds to a wide range of differing patterns (various distances)
Overall arrangement is crucial (a line segment looking like a 3D object)

Question 3

Schema

Answer 3

The portion of the perceptual cycle that is internal to the perceiver, modifiable by experience, and somehow specific to what is being perceived.

• > Expectations appear to direct perception.
• > People can identify a picture or a word far more easily when it is anticipated or plausible

Question 4

Perceptual cycle

Answer 4

12

Question 5

Training

Answer 5

Guiding a potential user through the important conditions of an activity in some controlled manner, building schema as the user has each new experience.

Question 6

Designer’s Objective

Answer 6

1. Ensure the perceptions are accurate

2. Provide means for quickly building perceptual skills

Question 7

When are accurate perceptions most likely?

Answer 7

Accurate perceptions are most likely when a person encounters data, information, or conditions that are familiar and consistent with past experiences.

Question 8

Intellectual Processing

Answer 8

Second stage in the Human Information Processing Model. Relates with decision making, problem solving, reasoning

Question 9

Problem Solving

Answer 9

The combining of existing ideas to form a new combination of ideas

Question 10

Problem

Answer 10

A situation for which the human does not have already a ready response

Question 11

Steps for Problem Solving

Answer 11

1. Preparation: clarifying and defining the problem, along with gathering a lot of pertinent information.
2. Incubation: a period of unconscious mental activity
3. Inspiration: The “eureka” experience.
4. Verification: checking the solution.

Question 12

Problem solving in the real world sequence

Answer 12

1. problem sensing: a problem is detected
2. problem formulating: a particular problem is defined
3. searching: questioning, gathering, backtracking
4. problem solving: problem is solved

Question 13

Three Mile Island

Answer 13

Nuclear incident

Question 14

Barriers to problem solving

Answer 14

1. Habit
2. Pressure to conform

Rigidity, fixation, mental set, predisposition, resistance to change

Question 15

Three Problem-Solving Dimensions

Answer 15

1. Is the problem really a problem?
2. Does the activity require some type of systematic, organize approach to problem solving or would trial and error be best?
3. Does the activity require one correct solution or many?

Question 16

Problem solving techniques

Answer 16

Brainstorming: Criticism is ruled out; Originality is desired; The greater the number of ideas, the better

Attribute listing

Checklist: Examining a list that suggests solutions for a given problem.

Question 17

Decision making

Answer 17

The weighing of known alternative responses in terms of their desirability and the selecting one of the alternatives.

Uncertainty adds complexity to decision making.

Question 18

Four decision-making characteristics that a designer should recognize

Answer 18

1. Users usually wait longer to decide than needed.
2. Users tend not to use all available information.
3. Users tend to be hesitant in revising original opinions.
4. Users usually consider too few alternatives.