Learning Objective:
• describe the user interface designers tool known as the
‘
Model Human Processor ',
• describe how the model will be applied to a user interface

Model Human Processor :
• a (theoretical) user interface design tool,
– developed by Card, Moran and Newell in 1983
• based on cognitive processing :
– ‘thinking & remembering’
– if we knew how we remembered things , then we should be able to produce an interface which the user would be able to remember
• “
”

Exam question :
Describe the user interface design tool known as the ‘Model
Human Processor’.
[4]
Give one example of how the model will be applied to a user interface.
[2]

Model Human Processor :
• attempts to quantify the cognitive process that users go through between perception and action :
– what happens between the user seeing/hearing and doing ?
• attempts to link how a human remembers and how a
(computer) system should operate:
– “ the last time I saw/heard that it meant ..... and I needed to …..
”

Model Human Processor :
Consists of three interacting systems:
• perceptual processor
– visual/audio storage
– seeing & hearing
• cognitive processor
– working memory
– identify link to mental models & past experience
• motor processor
– carry out actions
See it ….. work out what to do ….. do it!

Model Human Processor :
• theory based on human information processing
• describes the cognitive process that people go through between perception & action
– seeing/hearing  doing

Model Human Processor :
• draws an analogy between the processing and storage of a computer with

Model Human Processor :
• draws an analogy between the processing and storage of a computer with the perceptual , cognitive , motor and memory activities of a human

Model Human Processor :
• draws an analogy between the processing and storage of a computer with the perceptual , cognitive , motor and memory activities of a human
• see/hear

Model Human Processor :
• draws an analogy between the processing and storage of a computer with the perceptual , cognitive , motor and memory activities of a human
• see/hear
 recognise event

Model Human Processor :
• draws an analogy between the processing and storage of a computer with the perceptual , cognitive , motor and memory activities of a human
• see/hear
 recognise event
 determine response

Model Human Processor :
• draws an analogy between the processing and storage of a computer with the perceptual , cognitive , motor and memory activities of a human
• see/hear
 recognise event
 determine response
 physically respond

Model Human Processor :
• draws an analogy between the processing and storage of a computer with the perceptual , cognitive , motor and memory activities of a human
• see/hear
 recognise event
 determine response
 physically respond
• a visual or audible stimulus is seen (or heard)

Model Human Processor :
• draws an analogy between the processing and storage of a computer with the perceptual , cognitive , motor and memory activities of a human
• see/hear
 recognise event
 determine response
 physically respond
• a visual or audible stimulus is seen (or heard)
– attention drawn to a dialogue box on screen (beep)

Model Human Processor :
• draws an analogy between the processing and storage of a computer with the perceptual , cognitive , motor and memory activities of a human
• see/hear
 recognise event
 determine response
 physically respond
• a visual or audible stimulus is seen (or heard)
– attention drawn to a dialogue box on screen (beep)
• the physical attributes of the stimulus are decoded

Model Human Processor :
• draws an analogy between the processing and storage of a computer with the perceptual , cognitive , motor and memory activities of a human
• see/hear
 recognise event
 determine response
 physically respond
• a visual or audible stimulus is seen (or heard)
– attention drawn to a dialogue box on screen (beep)
• the physical attributes of the stimulus are decoded
– human interprets the response needed

Model Human Processor :
• draws an analogy between the processing and storage of a computer with the perceptual , cognitive , motor and memory activities of a human
• see/hear
 recognise event
 determine response
 physically respond
• a visual or audible stimulus is seen (or heard)
– attention drawn to a dialogue box on screen (beep)
• the physical attributes of the stimulus are decoded
– human interprets the response needed ( what should I do?)
• a motor response is initiated

Model Human Processor :
• draws an analogy between the processing and storage of a computer with the perceptual , cognitive , motor and memory activities of a human
• see/hear
 recognise event
 determine response
 physically respond
• a visual or audible stimulus is seen (or heard)
– attention drawn to a dialogue box on screen (beep)
• the physical attributes of the stimulus are decoded
– human interprets the response needed ( what should I do?)
• a motor response is initiated
– clicks a button with mouse ….

Applying the MHP to a user interface:
• a flashing cursor will indicate where the user is to enter data
• a beep may sound when a mistake is made
• a logical order to the inputs will be employed