Human Cognitive Capacities & Limitations (Coursera)

This course is part of the Human Factors & Usability Engineering: Designing for Humans Specialization.

What you'll learn
Learn to distinguish between types of attention & memory, and identify strategies and heuristics used for decision making & problem solving.

Syllabus

Course Introduction
Building upon the knowledge gained from Course 3, we now delve into the cognitive aspects of human factors in Course 4: Cognitive Capacities & Limitations. Throughout this course, we will explore different types of attention, memory, decision-making strategies, and problem-solving techniques. By understanding the limitations in attentional capacity and decision-making strategies, we can gain insights into how they contribute to human error. This knowledge will empower us to design systems and interfaces that accommodate these cognitive limitations and optimize human performance.

Module 1: Motor Control
In this module, we will discuss the field of motor control, exploring how we control our movements and the various constraints that shape our actions. Through this module, we will uncover the characteristics of movement solutions and gain insights into the intricate processes involved in motor control.

Module 2: Human Memory and Attention
In this module, we shift our focus to human memory and attention. Understanding how our memory works and how we allocate our attention is crucial for designing effective interfaces and optimizing human performance. We explore the concept of attention, the different types of attention, and their role in information processing. We also delve into the complexities of human memory, including its various stages, encoding processes, and factors that influence memory retrieval. Lastly, we examine the traditional model of skill acquisition, shedding light on how individuals acquire and refine their skills over time.

Module 3: Problem-Solving and Decision-Making
In Module 3, we explore the cognitive processes and factors that influence our decision-making abilities. From understanding how decisions are made to exploring the role of heuristics and biases, this module provides valuable insights into the human mind and its approach to problem-solving. Additionally, we discussed the concept of creativity and how it contributes to innovative problem-solving techniques.

Module 4: Motor Learning and Skill Acquisition
In this module, we will discuss motor learning and skill acquisition. By the end of this module, you will have a comprehensive understanding of the traditional and ecological approaches to skill acquisition and the research findings that contribute to our knowledge of motor learning and skill development.