1st Edition
Application of Systemic-Structural Activity Theory to Design and Training
This book offers analytical methods for studying human work in ergonomics and psychology that are similar to ones utilized by the engineering sciences. SSAT offers not only new qualitative but also formalized and quantitative methods of analysis. This book will describe quantitative methods of task complexity and reliability assessment, application of queuing theory, etc. The book will also present new data in the area of efficiency of labor force and its evaluation.
OVERVIEW OF THE BASIC CONCEPTS IN ACTIVITY THEORY
Activity Theory and the Vector Motive → Goal as Its Basic Concept
General, Applied, and Systemic-Structural Activity Theory: Historical Overview
Study of Predictive Mechanisms in Activity Theory
Goal Concept in Systemic-Structural Activity Theory
Goal and Motivation in Activity Theory
Vector Motive → Goal and Brain Functioning
Neuropsychological Mechanisms of Attention and Goal-Directed Activity
Relationship between Goal and Motives from Neuropsychological Perspectives
Concept of Task from the Systemic-Structural Activity Theory Perspective
Task Structure and Its Basic Characteristics
Computer-Based Tasks in Production and Nonproduction Environments
Structure of Production and Operational-Monitoring Processes
Basic Concepts and Terminology: Comparative Analysis
Analysis of the Basic Terminology in Activity Theory
Activity and Embodied Cognition Theories: Comparative Analysis
Task Description/Identification versus Hierarchical Task Analysis
TRAINING AND DESIGN
Knowledge and Skill Acquisition as a Self-Regulative Process
Self-Regulative Concept of Learning and Training
Introduction to the Learning Curve Analysis
Analysis of Changes in the Structure of Skills during the Acquisition Process
Analysis of the Acquisition Process in Learning by Observation
Acquisition Process in Computer-Based Task Analysis
Introduction to Ergonomic Design
Basic Characteristics of the Design Process
Concept of Self-Regulation in Task Analysis
Description and Classification of Cognitive and Behavioral Actions
Morphological Analysis of Work Activity
Algorithmic Description of Activity and Task Analysis
Algorithmic Description of Tasks in Automated and Semiautomated Systems
Time Structure Analysis of Activity during Task Performance
Design and Time Study
Time Study as an Important Aspect of Ergonomic Design
Pace of Performance and Time Study
Pace Formation Process and Mechanisms of Activity Self-Regulation
Pace Regulation and Task Complexity
Error Analysis
Error Analysis and Design
Error Analysis in Man-Machine Systems
Error Prevention and Training
Application of Queuing Theory to Human Error Analysis
TASK COMPLEXITY EVALUATION
Complexity, Difficulty, and Intensity of Work
Job Evaluation and Complexity of Work
Complexity and Difficulty as Basic Characteristics of Task
Theoretical Principles of Complexity Measurement
Informational and Energetic Components of Complexity
Review of Some Methods of Task Complexity Measurement
Units of Measurement and Formalized Procedures of Complexity Evaluation
Quantitative Assessment of Task Complexity
Measures of Task Complexity
Complexity Evaluation of Production Operations
Quantitative Complexity Evaluation of Tasks at the Stage of Automation
Complexity Evaluation and Variability of Task Performance
Formalized Methods and Complexity Evaluation in the Analysis of Task Safety
Conclusion
Bibliography
Biography
Gregory Bedny presently resides in Wayne, NJ. He works as a Research Associate at Evolute, Inc. in Louisville, Kentucky. He is an American citizen who emigrated from the former Soviet where he earned his Doctorate Degree (PhD) in Industrial Organizational Psychology from the Educational University of Moscow and a Post-Doctorate Degree (ScD) in Experimental Psychology from the Institute of General and Educational Psychology, National Pedagogical Academy of Science of USSR. He also is Academician of the International Academy of Human Problems in Aviation and Astronautics in Russia and Honorary Doctorate in Science, Ukrainian State University. For his achievements in psychology he has been awarded the Medal of the Ukrainian National Academy of Pedagogical Sciences. He is the author of five original scholarly books, the latest of which were published in USA. The first one was co-authors with Dr David Meister in the US in 1997. This book published by Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc. The second book was co-authored with Dr. Karwowski in the US in 2007. This book published by Taylor and Francis Group. He also is the co-editor of two books published by Taylor and Francis Group in 2008 and 2011. He was invited editor of journal Theoretical Issues in Ergonomics Science, V-5, #3, 2004. In former Soviet Union he worked as Industrial Engineer of Food Processing Machinery Factory, Industrial Psychologist in Industrial Research and Consulting Institute. After receiving his doctorate degrees he worked as associate and then full professor in Construction Engineering State University, in Marines Postgraduate School (part time), Pedagogical University in Odessa, Ukraine. He is author of different textbooks for universities in former Soviet Union. Dr Bedny has been conducting research on general and systemic-structural activity theory for the past 25 years. Systemic-structural activity theory is high level generality theory from which derived unified and standardize methods of study human work. He is the author of multiple articles in this field. He applied his theoretical study in field of human-computer interaction, manufacturing, merchant marines, robots systems, work motivation, training, reducing fatigue etc.
"The book overcomes the traditional separation between cognition, behavior, and motivation using a systemic approach to the analysis of human work activity. The new approach enables a more user-friendly design of tasks in HCI and ergonomic design of complex human–machine systems such as operation of automatic or semiautomatic systems. … The authors did an outstanding job."
—Helmut Strasser, Ergonomics Division Siegen University/Germany"… presents a new systemic view based on activity theory to a very challenging multi-dimensional field. … The theory presented in the book is put into practice and can be used also by practitioners in different fields."
—Jussi Kantola Professor, University of Vaasa, Finland