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Human Cognition: Mechanisms involved in such processes in human beings
as perception, attention, learning, memory, thought, concept formation,
reading, problem solving, and the development of such behaviour in children.
[ref: http://www.aldea.com/guides/ag/hcxtxt.html]
A very broad term. Not easy to define. Internal mental processes - “Thinking” Norman (1993) two types: experiential (routine)
reflective (conscious effort). Cognitive psychology.
Study of cognition: topics
Attention Perception and recognition Memory Learning Language Problem solving, planning, reasoning.
Attention
A general term referring to the selective aspects
of perception so that at any instant an organism focuses on certain features
of the environment to the relative exclusion of other features. E.g.,
Cherry (1953). “The cocktail party phenomenon”. Allowing us to “focus” on certain things. Evolutionary advantages. Attention is linked to goals. We attend to things
that are important to us. It is selective but sometimes our attention is
“caught”. Attention is very often divided. Physical and semantic differences between messages
or images important.
Attention and design
Making important information salient allowing
our attention to be grabbed. Using different colours, font sizes, animations
etc. Balancing the underuse and overuse of attention
grabbing devices. A well structured interface or web page can help
maintain interest and attention. A page full of text can be boring and
attention can be lost.
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