4. ERGONOMICS

Question 1

Define ergonomics

Answer 1

The study of designing equipment and devices that fit the human body, its movements and cognitive abilities

Question 2

Examples of physical ergonomics

Answer 2

Avoiding health problems such as back pain, eye strain + muscle problems by positioning computers in offices at particular heights or ensuring children in Schoo have chairs to suit the heights

Question 3

Examples of cognitive ergonomics

Answer 3

Relates to designing devices in a way that fits how people think
E.g. designing satellite navigation programmes that orientate in the ay we are travelling

Question 4

Cognitive load theory

Answer 4

1. capacity of humans to process incoming stimuli is limited
2. info overload occurs when our capacity to process info is exceeded by amount of info claiming our attention
   - normal reaction=block out less relevant tasks
3. give most of our attention to stimuli that are intense, unpredictable or uncontrollable

Question 5

Baddeley + Hitch

The working memory model

Answer 5

Suggested memory has number of sub systems that process different types of incoming info- if there is too much of one type we become overloaded, but memories are capable of processing a number of different types of info at the same time

Question 6

Define cognitive load

Answer 6

Amount of metal capacity available to process info

Question 7

Explain the working memory model

Answer 7

Auditory tasks processed by phonological loop
Visual tasks processed by visuospatial sketch pad
Each sub system has a finite a must of resources to process tasks
Sufficient resources to process one task at a time, which utilises one sub system
However when sub system is forced to process two tasks simultaneously- the working memory becomes overloaded
Therefore performance on the tasks will be poor

Question 8

Observations in workplace

Mayo

Answer 8

Aimed to investigate the impact of physical enviro on the productivity levels
E.g. levels of light constantly varied, whereas control group stayed constant
Results= both group increased productivity levels due to the fact they were being observed

Question 9

Social facilitation research

Answer 9

individuals perform better in the presence of other people
Norman Triplett:
Noticed cyclists performance improved upon being apart of a training group
Lab exp- compared speeds records of cyclists when riding independently and when in a group

Question 10

Drews and Doigs aim

Answer 10

Investigate benefits gained by presenting nurses in ICU info about Px in graphical form rather than numerical

Question 11

D+D

Second aim

Answer 11

Test whether improved CVS monitoring display decreased the mental demand associated with nurses monitoring patients

Question 12

Key elements that improved cognitive load

Answer 12

1. current state objective- provided info on current state of Px vital signs
2. shapes + colours= increase the speed at which this information could be processed

Question 13

D+D

Sample

Answer 13

42 ICU Px

Question 14

D+D

Procedure

Answer 14

Independent measures
Either CVS display or control group
4 diff Px scenarios devised + 3 of them tested whether led to better decision making
Controlled lab exp- 20 min training given 5 mins to reach result on Px

Question 15

D+D

Results

Answer 15

Speed of response- 30% improvement in response time using CVS
Accuracy of response- CVS condition correctly identified
Likert scale- revealed the realism of scenarios with a median of 6 desirability of CVS

Question 16

D+D

Conclusions

Answer 16

CVS= faster response rime
Improves nurse assessment
Suggests showing trend data allows nurses to make accurate diagnosis

Question 17

Strengths of D+D

Answer 17

Representative sample (42)
Useful applications 
Standardised 
Control 
Quantitative + qual data
Independent MD= reduced DC

Question 18

Weaknesses of D+D

Answer 18

Lab exp increased DC

Lacks eco validity