Book Reading #14 - Design of Everyday Things



Book Author: Donald A. Norman

CHAPTER 4: To Err is Human

Summary
In this chapter, Norman talks about two fundametal categories of errors: slips and mistakes. Slips result from automatic behavior, when subconsciours actions that are intended to satisfy our goals get waylaid en route. Mistakes result from conscious deliberations. Norman then gives us a list of slips, and accounts from colleagues and people making those slips. The types of slips are:

• Capture Errors: a frequently done activity takes charge of the one intended
• Description Errors: the intended action has much in common with others that are possible
• Data-driven Errors: Data-driven sensory triggers that cause a different action
• Associative Action Errors: Internal thoughts and associations that trigger us
• Loss-of-Activation Errors: forgetting
• Mode Errors: Devices with buttons, or knows with more than one function

Detection of slips can only take place if there is feedback.

Norman then goes on to explain how people take action based on memory, and the design of forcing functions to cue the user on the next steps to take.

He also alludes to social pressures that make us overlook our gut feelings, and go with another course of action. He cites in particular the example of a plane, or a nuclear power plant.

Discussion

I liked all the accounts from colleagues and people Norman to illustrate the types of slips  people have. Error is part of human nature, however, Norman gives practical things one can do to avoid them, or minimize them.