Book Reading #38: Why We Make Mistakes



Book Author: Joseph T. Hallinan

chapter 0:
Reading this chapter reminded me of Donald Norman's chapter 5 in Design of Everyday Things that listed the different types of errors we make. In this case, we have more of a general overview of types of errors people usually make. This introductory chapter essentially confirms what Donald Norman told us about mistakes: To err is human. There are a lot of types of mistakes we make everyday. Some where we are aware, and some where we are unaware. Some are simple mistakes, and some have potentially serious consequences.
Hallinan, though, gives us new examples from the ones given by Norman, and gives us different methods we can use to enhance mistakes linked to memory recall. Being in the same environment in which we memorized something, increases the chances of recalling things.

chapter 1:

This chapter details more kinds of mistakes as well as explains how they occur. These types of mistakes are then backed up by examples. One case in particular, which I had learned about through D. Norman's book, is the one where a group of students were asked to identify the parts of a penny, and their details. Most students were unable to recall the characteristics of the penny. In Norman's book, the explanation for these observations was that this was linked to the way we remember things. For example, when I think of a penny, I may only recall the color, size, and which president is on the coin. This isn't a problem because this is enough for me to know the function, and worth of this penny. I don't need to know the date on the penny, or anything else to use the penny.
Next, Hallinan talks about how medical lab workers and people who work x-ray security at the airport commonly miss things.