HUMAN INTERACTION WITH COMPUTERS

Understanding How People Interact with Computers Characteristics of computer systems, 

past and present, that have caused, and are causing, people problems. We will then look at 

the effect these problems have –

• Why people have trouble with computers

• Responses to poor design

• People and their tasks

Why People Have Trouble with Computers

• Extensive technical knowledge but little behavioral training.

• With its extensive graphical capabilities.

• Poorly designed interfaces.

• What makes a system difficult to use in the eyes of its user?

• Use of jargon

• Non-obvious design

• Fine distinctions

• Disparity in problem-solving strategies

• an "error-preventing" strategy

• Design inconsistency

PSYCHOLOGICAL

Typical psychological responses to poor design are:

• Confusion: Detail overwhelms the perceived structure. Meaningful patterns are 

difficult to ascertain, and the conceptual model or underlying framework cannot be 

understood or established.

• Annoyance: Roadblocks that prevent a task being completed, or a need from being 

satisfied, promptly and efficiently lead to annoyance. Inconsistencies in design, 

slow computer reaction times, difficulties in quickly finding information, outdated