1. G063 - The Model Human Processor

2. Learning Objective: describe the user interface designers tool known as the ‘Model Human Processor', describe how the model will be applied to a user interface

3. Model Human Processor : a (theoretical) user interface design tool, –developed by Card, Moran and Newell in 1983 based on cognitive processing: –‘thinking & remembering’ –if we knew how we remembered things, then we should be able to produce an interface which the user would be able to remember “if it works like you think it should then ….”

4. Exam question : Describe the user interface design tool known as the ‘Model Human Processor’.[4] Give one example of how the model will be applied to a user interface.[2]

5. Model Human Processor : attempts to quantify the cognitive process that users go through between perception and action: –what happens between the user seeing/hearing and doing? attempts to link how a human remembers and how a (computer) system should operate: –“the last time I saw/heard that it meant..... and I needed to …..”

6. Model Human Processor : Consists of three interacting systems: perceptual processor –visual/audio storage –seeing & hearing cognitive processor –working memory –identify link to mental models & past experience motor processor –carry out actions See it ….. work out what to do ….. do it!

9. Model Human Processor : theory based on human information processing describes the cognitive process that people go through between perception & action –seeing/hearing  doing

10. Model Human Processor : draws an analogy between the processing and storage of a computer with

11. Model Human Processor : draws an analogy between the processing and storage of a computer with the perceptual, cognitive, motor and memory activities of a human

12. Model Human Processor : draws an analogy between the processing and storage of a computer with the perceptual, cognitive, motor and memory activities of a human see/hear

13. Model Human Processor : draws an analogy between the processing and storage of a computer with the perceptual, cognitive, motor and memory activities of a human see/hear  recognise event

14. Model Human Processor : draws an analogy between the processing and storage of a computer with the perceptual, cognitive, motor and memory activities of a human see/hear  recognise event  determine response

15. Model Human Processor : draws an analogy between the processing and storage of a computer with the perceptual, cognitive, motor and memory activities of a human see/hear  recognise event  determine response  physically respond

16. Model Human Processor : draws an analogy between the processing and storage of a computer with the perceptual, cognitive, motor and memory activities of a human see/hear  recognise event  determine response  physically respond a visual or audible stimulus is seen (or heard)

17. Model Human Processor : draws an analogy between the processing and storage of a computer with the perceptual, cognitive, motor and memory activities of a human see/hear  recognise event  determine response  physically respond a visual or audible stimulus is seen (or heard) –attention drawn to a dialogue box on screen (beep)

18. Model Human Processor : draws an analogy between the processing and storage of a computer with the perceptual, cognitive, motor and memory activities of a human see/hear  recognise event  determine response  physically respond a visual or audible stimulus is seen (or heard) –attention drawn to a dialogue box on screen (beep) the physical attributes of the stimulus are decoded

19. Model Human Processor : draws an analogy between the processing and storage of a computer with the perceptual, cognitive, motor and memory activities of a human see/hear  recognise event  determine response  physically respond a visual or audible stimulus is seen (or heard) –attention drawn to a dialogue box on screen (beep) the physical attributes of the stimulus are decoded –human interprets the response needed

20. Model Human Processor : draws an analogy between the processing and storage of a computer with the perceptual, cognitive, motor and memory activities of a human see/hear  recognise event  determine response  physically respond a visual or audible stimulus is seen (or heard) –attention drawn to a dialogue box on screen (beep) the physical attributes of the stimulus are decoded –human interprets the response needed (what should I do?) a motor response is initiated

21. Model Human Processor : draws an analogy between the processing and storage of a computer with the perceptual, cognitive, motor and memory activities of a human see/hear  recognise event  determine response  physically respond a visual or audible stimulus is seen (or heard) –attention drawn to a dialogue box on screen (beep) the physical attributes of the stimulus are decoded –human interprets the response needed (what should I do?) a motor response is initiated –clicks a button with mouse ….

22. Applying the MHP to a user interface: a flashing cursor will indicate where the user is to enter data a beep may sound when a mistake is made a logical order to the inputs will be employed