Overview
The study of factors that affect decision making and cognition in naturalistic task settings.
This paper focused on human factors (ergonomics), with a particular emphasis on cognitive engineering - which is the study of factors that affect cognition and decision making in naturalistic task settings. It is a field of study particularly concerned with human performance in technological settings. These include transportation (road, rail, air, sea), manufacturing, mining and health care. This paper provides an introduction to the topic and preparation for further study in the area.
About this paper
| Paper title | Human Factors and Ergonomics |
|---|---|
| Subject | Psychology |
| EFTS | 0.15 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | Not offered in 2026 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $1,318.20 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- PSYC 210 and PSYC 211 and PSYC 212
- Restriction
- PSYC 322
- Schedule C
- Arts and Music, Science
- Notes
- (i) With departmental approval, a student who has achieved a grade of at least a B in each of PSYC 210 and 212 may take no more than one of PSYC 313-331 concurrently with PSYC 211. (ii) With departmental approval, a student who has achieved a grade of at least a B in PSYC 211 may take no more than one of PSYC 313-331 concurrently with PSYC 210 and 212.
- Eligibility
With departmental approval, a student who has achieved a grade of at least B in each of PSYC 210 and 212 may take no more than one of PSYC 313-328 concurrently with PSYC 211.
With departmental approval, a student who has achieved a grade of at least B in PSYC 211 may take no more than one of PSYC 313-328 concurrently with PSYC 210 and 212.
- Contact
- More information link
- View more information on the Department of Psychology's website
- Teaching staff
To be advised
- Paper Structure
The emphasis is on the characteristics of human cognition in real-world settings for individuals, teams or individuals teamed with intelligent systems. Topics will include: the analysis of human error from both a practical and theoretical perspective, display design, automation, attention, workload, skill and decision making.
Written assignments include exercises designed to promote individual research and considered reflection on key aspects of the paper.
The mid-term test consists of short answer and essay questions.
- Teaching Arrangements
One 3-hour lecture per week
- Textbooks
- Textbooks are not required for this paper.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Communication, Critical thinking, Research.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the paper will:
- Develop knowledge of theories of human error and systemic failure and apply these to real-world incidents and accidents
- Develop knowledge of human attention and apply this to problems of display design, automation and workload
- Develop knowledge of theories of decision making and apply these to different domains
- Demonstrate critical thinking about accident causation and errors in human performance
- Assessment details
Internal assessment is 50% of the final grade in this paper, consisting of written assignments (35%) and one mid-term test (15%).
Overview
The study of factors that affect decision making and cognition in naturalistic task settings.
This paper focused on human factors (ergonomics), with a particular emphasis on cognitive engineering - which is the study of factors that affect cognition and decision making in naturalistic task settings. It is a field of study particularly concerned with human performance in technological settings. These include transportation (road, rail, air, sea), manufacturing, mining and health care. This paper provides an introduction to the topic and preparation for further study in the area.
About this paper
| Paper title | Human Factors and Ergonomics |
|---|---|
| Subject | Psychology |
| EFTS | 0.15 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | Not offered in 2027 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- PSYC 210 and PSYC 211 and PSYC 212
- Restriction
- PSYC 322
- Schedule C
- Arts and Music, Science
- Notes
- (i) With departmental approval, a student who has achieved a grade of at least a B in each of PSYC 210 and 212 may take no more than one of PSYC 313-331 concurrently with PSYC 211. (ii) With departmental approval, a student who has achieved a grade of at least a B in PSYC 211 may take no more than one of PSYC 313-331 concurrently with PSYC 210 and 212.
- Eligibility
With departmental approval, a student who has achieved a grade of at least B in each of PSYC 210 and 212 may take no more than one of PSYC 313-328 concurrently with PSYC 211.
With departmental approval, a student who has achieved a grade of at least B in PSYC 211 may take no more than one of PSYC 313-328 concurrently with PSYC 210 and 212.
- Contact
- More information link
- View more information on the Department of Psychology's website
- Teaching staff
To be advised
- Paper Structure
The emphasis is on the characteristics of human cognition in real-world settings for individuals, teams or individuals teamed with intelligent systems. Topics will include: the analysis of human error from both a practical and theoretical perspective, display design, automation, attention, workload, skill and decision making.
Written assignments include exercises designed to promote individual research and considered reflection on key aspects of the paper.
The mid-term test consists of short answer and essay questions.
- Teaching Arrangements
One 3-hour lecture per week.
- Textbooks
- Textbooks are not required for this paper.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Communication, Critical thinking, Research.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the paper will:
- Develop knowledge of theories of human error and systemic failure and apply these to real-world incidents and accidents
- Develop knowledge of human attention and apply this to problems of display design, automation and workload
- Develop knowledge of theories of decision making and apply these to different domains
- Demonstrate critical thinking about accident causation and errors in human performance
- Assessment details
Internal assessment is 50% of the final grade in this paper, consisting of written assignments (35%) and one mid-term test (15%).