Chapter 4 Cognition
What is cognition?
Cognition is the process of thinking, learning, and understanding. Two main categories:
- Experiential: Instinctive/Reflexive
- Reflective: Requires mental effort.
Cognition includes attention, perception, memory etc.
Attention
Allows us to focus on relevant information. Clear goals aid in seeking specific information or casually
browsing. Information presentation affects comprehension. Multitasking's impact varies; heavy
media multitaskers face more distractions, but relevance can benefit tasks. However, excessive
multitasking can overload focus, leading to errors. Technology should support smooth attention
shifts and task resumption post-interruptions.
Perception
Process of acquiring information from environment using our senses. Interaction design should
present information in a way that can be easily perceived.
Memory
Ability to recall knowledge to act appropriately. It involves encoding, filtering, and context-
dependent retrieval processes..
Learning
Involves the accumulation of skills and knowledge that is impossible without memory. Can be
intentional or incidental.
Reading, Speaking, and Listening
They all convey meaning differently. Reading is permanent and quicker than speaking or listening.
Listening requires less cognitive effort but lacks permanence. Written language tends to be
grammatical; spoken language often isn't.
Problem-Solving, Planning, Reasoning, and Decision Making
Involves conscious cognition and discussions. Reasoning weighs different scenarios to find the best
solution. While rational theories suggest weighing costs and benefits, cognitive psychology reveals
people often use simple heuristics for decisions. Design strategies focus on highlighting essential
product information. Augmented reality and wearable tech offer digestible information for better
choices, customizable to user preferences.
What is cognition?
Cognition is the process of thinking, learning, and understanding. Two main categories:
- Experiential: Instinctive/Reflexive
- Reflective: Requires mental effort.
Cognition includes attention, perception, memory etc.
Attention
Allows us to focus on relevant information. Clear goals aid in seeking specific information or casually
browsing. Information presentation affects comprehension. Multitasking's impact varies; heavy
media multitaskers face more distractions, but relevance can benefit tasks. However, excessive
multitasking can overload focus, leading to errors. Technology should support smooth attention
shifts and task resumption post-interruptions.
Perception
Process of acquiring information from environment using our senses. Interaction design should
present information in a way that can be easily perceived.
Memory
Ability to recall knowledge to act appropriately. It involves encoding, filtering, and context-
dependent retrieval processes..
Learning
Involves the accumulation of skills and knowledge that is impossible without memory. Can be
intentional or incidental.
Reading, Speaking, and Listening
They all convey meaning differently. Reading is permanent and quicker than speaking or listening.
Listening requires less cognitive effort but lacks permanence. Written language tends to be
grammatical; spoken language often isn't.
Problem-Solving, Planning, Reasoning, and Decision Making
Involves conscious cognition and discussions. Reasoning weighs different scenarios to find the best
solution. While rational theories suggest weighing costs and benefits, cognitive psychology reveals
people often use simple heuristics for decisions. Design strategies focus on highlighting essential
product information. Augmented reality and wearable tech offer digestible information for better
choices, customizable to user preferences.
