Cognitive Ergonomics Part 2: Eyes at Work
Posted: 07.24.09
By Kimball Office Social Media Team

When we last talked about cognitive ergonomics, we discussed inattention blindness, the phenomenon where focusing on one thing makes you completely miss other things, however strange (like the moonwalking bear).

Now, I know “cognitive ergonomics” sounds really complicated. It’s not – don’t worry. You probably know what ergonomics is – it’s the science of designing a job, workplace, etc. to fit the employee. Cognitive ergonomics is the science of designing a workspace to fit the way your mind works. Basically, physical and cognitive ergonomics are two sides of the same science. And we’re most interested in making our minds work at work.

For minds to work, they have to process information. But to process information, you have to receive it. And the way you receive it matters. The most dominant sense we use to receive information is vision. It tells us where things are. One of the most interesting things our eyes do to help us receive information is accommodate wide ranges of vision – you can see things near and far without trouble. (That is, unless you’re like me and you need glasses to even see the end of your nose!)

Will you try something for me? Hold your Read more…