Book Reading #5 - Design of Everyday Things

Chapter 2: The Psychology of Everyday Actions

 Reference Info:
The Design of Everyday Things
Donald A. Norman

Summary:
This chapter talks about the way people thing when using an object and the thought processes that one goes through. One example is when people blame themselves for non obvious ways of working an object. people also make up models in their head. An example is Ariastotle's model of physics. Some items do not explain themselves and people make up models according to their way of thinking. They give an example of learned and taught helplessness to describe the psychology of people in using, or lack of ability to use objects. The chapeter also goes in depth the actions of people when trying to figure out an object. It explains why people may not understand how to use an object using their action steps. THis is the action cycle. Sometime people know their goals and what actions need to be taken, but struggle with the relationship of the device and the actions that must be taken, causing confusion, The cycle is a good way of possibly understanding how to work an item but designs should be made self evident to cause ease on the action and psychology of the user.

Discussion:
I enjoyed this chapter because of the psychological evaluation of the user trying to use the device. It explains the thought process, how we come to these mental models, and dictate our actions. I had never really ever thought of the thought process that goes behind trying to figure out a piece of technology