industrial engineering human factors
1) ATTENTION AND PROCESSING (30 pts)
Explain the concepts of bottom-up versus top-down processing.Cite examples from our lecture material that are examples of both and justify why you think they are.Also, consider the design implications of top-down vs. bottom-up processing when designing a system for human use.How do the two types of processing affect how they would influence design.Give examples of how design might impact both top-down and bottom-up processing.In other words, provide an example of how design might aid top-down processing.Provide a second example of how design might aid bottom-up processing
2) THE VISUAL SYSTEM (30 pts)
Explain the process of light / dark adaptation in detail.How do the rods and cones function when it comes to processing information in the environment as it transitions from dark to light?What kinds of things can be done to ensure people can function in a dark environment?How would it impact your decisions if the person must stay dark adapted?How would interface design be impacted?Signal detection?Search and location?Provide examples and justify your arguments.
3) COGNITION & REDESIGN (40 pts)
Discuss the differences between the phonological store and the visuo-spatial sketchpad.How is information processed from these systems and how do they interact and/or interfere with each other?How do individual differences in age, experience, and cognitive workload affect how information is processed (discuss each separately) and used to access appropriate mental models?Finally, suppose you have an operation such as a radar operator on the bridge of a busy aircraft carrier in which maintaining vigilance is important.The lights are often dim on the bridge and the environment can be occasionally loud and chaotic.The operator needs to simultaneously receive data on target position, bearing, and intent (friendly / hostile) while also being alerted to new targets arriving on the scene.Knowing what we know about how information is processed in the phonological store and visuo-spatial sketchpad, how might the station be set up and information communicated to the officer? In other words, design the station!Give me a sketch and its features.How will the features aid in processing?
