Title:
Chapter 3: The Power of Representation
Chapter 4: Fitting the Artifact to the Person
Reference:
Summary:
Chapter 3: The Power of Representation
This chapter spoke on how we use artifacts and other representations to model things that are not easily realized. This could be in the form of paper clips and pencils representing a car accident or different numbering systems representing conceptual numbers. Norman notes that a representational system involves the represented world and the representing world. The form of the presentation is integral to our understanding of it as we recognize and comprehend spatial things much better than numerical or factual. Represented information makes it easier for us to locate the relevant information and thus make a conclusion from that information.
This chapter spoke on how we use artifacts and other representations to model things that are not easily realized. This could be in the form of paper clips and pencils representing a car accident or different numbering systems representing conceptual numbers. Norman notes that a representational system involves the represented world and the representing world. The form of the presentation is integral to our understanding of it as we recognize and comprehend spatial things much better than numerical or factual. Represented information makes it easier for us to locate the relevant information and thus make a conclusion from that information.
Chapter 4: Fitting the Artifact to the Person
This chapter dealt with the appearance of the representation and how that can make a difference in people's perception of the artifact. It gives three variations of the tower of Hanoi puzzle in showing the power of forcing functions. He claims that we are very good at making perceptual judgments but very bad at making symbolic or abstract ones.
Norman speaks of graphs and different kinds of representations and our interpretation of them. Based upon the data they are showing, some are easier to comprehend than others even though they may be showing the exact same data.
Discussion:
The most interesting part of chapter three was his brief mention of the spatial verse other types of cognition. It reminds me of the way memory palaces utilize this aspect of the brain in order to memorize vast amounts of data.
It seemed like Norman went on a rant again focusing on the topics he sees most pertinent to him at the time of writing. This time it was his airline pamphlet. I got very little out of this chapter because it seemed like he was just giving an overview of what his other books were about.
The most interesting part of chapter three was his brief mention of the spatial verse other types of cognition. It reminds me of the way memory palaces utilize this aspect of the brain in order to memorize vast amounts of data.
It seemed like Norman went on a rant again focusing on the topics he sees most pertinent to him at the time of writing. This time it was his airline pamphlet. I got very little out of this chapter because it seemed like he was just giving an overview of what his other books were about.
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