Chapter 1 - What Is Human Factors?

Human Factors

- taking human mental and physical capabilities into account when designing and using systems - requires understanding of human physical, perceptual, and cognitive limitations and abilities - requires understanding of system design (i.e. material properties, aesthetics, physics, programming, etc.) - human factors is interdisciplinary - experts from different areas working together towards common goal of enhancing human performance by designing systems that: reduce errors, increase productivity, increase safety, increase user satisfaction

Engineering Psychology

a discipline with psychology - goal: understand human "mind," as that understanding is relevant to the design of systems - emphasis on generalizable psychology theories

Human Factors Engineering

discipline within engineering - goal: system development - emphasis on development principles - account for psychological and physical characteristics of human

Ergonomics

historical referred to as physical work - lifting, reaching, fatigue, physical stress, etc. - closely related to biomechanics, biopsych, biengineering - Europe: "ergonomics" includes human factors - distinction between "human factors" and "ergonomics" blurred today