KogWis2014

Halbruegge, M., and Engelbrecht, K.-P. (2014). An activation-based model of execution delays of specific task steps. Cognitive Processing, 15, pages S107-S110

Abstract: When humans use devices like ticket vending machines, their actions can be categorized into task-oriented (e.g. selecting a ticket) and device-oriented (e.g. removing the bank card after having paid). Device-oriented steps contribute only indirectly to the user's goal; they take longer than their task-oriented counterparts and are more likely to be forgotten. A promising explanation is provided by the activation-based memory for goals model (Altmann and Trafton 2002). The objectives of this paper are, first, to replicate the step prolongation effect of device-orientation in a kitchen assistance context, and secondly, to investigate whether the activation construct can explain this effect using cognitive modeling. Finally, a necessity and sensitivity analysis provides more insights into the relationship between goal activation and device-orientation effects.