1. G063 - Mental Models The Psychology of HCI design

2. Learning Objectives: By the end of this topic you should be able to: define the term ‘Mental Model’ describe how ‘Mental Models’ can be applied to the design of a user interface; discuss the importance of designing a system model which matches the user's mental model;

4. Word PowerPoint

5. Word v2

6. Word 2003

7. Word 2007

8. Mental Models : we view the world as a series of causes and effects: –“if I do this, then that will happen” we have preconceived ideas in our mind –of how things should work preconceived ideas = mental model mental models relate causes to effects –we can predict the results of an action based on prior experience: –“I’ve seen this before, so I think that will also happen this time” mental models form the basis of any further interaction with a system

9. Mental Models and designing an HCI: users will bring their own mental models to a system mental models form the basis of interactions with a system –users will predict the behaviour of a system  based on past experiences many users learn to use a system by trial and error –using their mental models

10. Mental Models and designing an HCI: HCI designers must consider user’s mental models, if interface matches mental model then = intuitive use need to design systems to match mental models –convergence between mental model & system model

11. Effect of Mental Model on user : Users: find a new system easy to learn and remember be more confident using the system know what is likely to happen next as a result of the current action –beep = error, –trashcan is used to delete files –red for bad, green for good –icons on toolbars give a preconception of use require less training won’t ‘get lost’ while using the system