What is selective attention?
The capacity for or process of reacting to certain stimuli selectively when several occur simultaneously.
What is inattentional blindness?
It is a psychological lack of attention that is not associated with any vision defects or deficits. It may be further defined as the event in which an individual fails to perceive an unexpected stimulus that is in plain sight. Eg. talking on phone while driving.
It does have an upside too - our ability to ignore distractions around us allows us to retain our focus
What is divided attention?
- You cannot respond to two things at once. (Unless its a subconscious thing like walking and talking)
- You can respond to one and perceive another. (Eg: listening to instrumental music and reading is okay, but listening to music with words and reading is difficult)
What does “We are single channel processors” mean?
Our attention can only be in one place. You cannot drive and text, you can only do one or the other.
What is the relevance of attention in design?
- When designing user experiences, do NOT expect people to do two things at one. Design for one task at a time.
- People can handle multiple things, Only when one is automatic.
How does reaction time vary?
Reaction Time varies by channel and Person
Faster if :
- Well practiced
- Alerted ahead of time
- Stimulus is more intense
Longer if:
- Tired
- Drugged
- Requires complex movement to respond
What is Hick- Hyman Law?
The reaction time it takes for a person to make a decision as a result of the possible choices/stimuli he or she has,, increasing the no. of choices, will increase the reaction time.
The no. of stimuli present and an individuals reaction time to any given stimulus is directly proportional. More no. of alternative stimuli equals more time taken to respond.
What is Psychological Refractory Period (PRP)?
It refers to the period of time during which the response to a second stimuli is significantly slowed because the first stimuli is still being processed.
It means that, once started, it takes time to stop and do something different.
What is signal detection theory?
It deals with how people make decisions when faced with discriminating stimuli.
Users can only discriminate among 5-9 things in each channel ( sound, color, vibration, etc.)
Color use creates ______________ and _____________ load.
Visual and Intellectual.
*More than 5-9 colours in a display degrade detection.
What is the relevance of signal detection theory?
- Make sure the things you want the user to notice, stand out. Use less highlighting so that you can USE highlighting when you need it.
- If you have too much going on, try another sensory channel. Try sound or vibration or smell… or at least switch from color to movement.
What is Yerkes-Dodson Law?
It maps the effects of stress on performance. The law dictates that performance increases with physiological or mental arousal, but only up to a point.
What is Yerkes-Dodson Law?
It maps the effects of stress on performance. The law dictates that performance increases with physiological or mental arousal, but only up to a point.
What is Yerkes-Dodson Law?
It maps the effects of stress on performance. The law dictates that performance increases with physiological or mental arousal, but only up to a point.
What is the relevance of Stress ?
- Know your users level of arousal. Increase stimulation for users who are bored and decrease it for the overwhelmed user.
- If high stress, Design for efficiency and simplicity. Your user will regress to basic and childlike behaviors. They will fall back on their training at a rote level.
