Designing for human attention.
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| Title: | Designing for human attention. |
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| Authors: | Sharpe, Benjamin T. (AUTHOR), Tyndall, Ian (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Psychologist. Apr2026, p22-25. 4p. 1 Color Photograph. |
| Subjects: | Attention control, Automation, Selectivity (Psychology), Neurosciences, Cognitive load, Human behavior, Ergonomics |
| Abstract: | This article examines psychological research on the inherent limitations of sustained attention, emphasizing that perfect vigilance is theoretically impossible due to fundamental neural mechanisms rather than individual failings. It highlights how these cognitive constraints manifest across diverse real-world settings—such as aviation, healthcare, security, and manufacturing—and discusses how psychology has informed system designs that accommodate inevitable attention lapses through evidence-based scheduling, adaptive automation, and attention-aware assessment tools. The authors underscore psychology’s unique role in translating neuroscience into practical applications, advocating for organizational and cultural shifts that accept cognitive boundaries as design constraints rather than deficits to overcome. The article calls for continued interdisciplinary efforts to develop attention-supportive technologies, personalized interventions, and policies that prioritize safety by aligning expectations with human cognitive architecture. [Extracted from the article] |
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| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | This article examines psychological research on the inherent limitations of sustained attention, emphasizing that perfect vigilance is theoretically impossible due to fundamental neural mechanisms rather than individual failings. It highlights how these cognitive constraints manifest across diverse real-world settings—such as aviation, healthcare, security, and manufacturing—and discusses how psychology has informed system designs that accommodate inevitable attention lapses through evidence-based scheduling, adaptive automation, and attention-aware assessment tools. The authors underscore psychology’s unique role in translating neuroscience into practical applications, advocating for organizational and cultural shifts that accept cognitive boundaries as design constraints rather than deficits to overcome. The article calls for continued interdisciplinary efforts to develop attention-supportive technologies, personalized interventions, and policies that prioritize safety by aligning expectations with human cognitive architecture. [Extracted from the article] |
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| ISSN: | 09528229 |
