A Programmable Coprocessor Model of Human Cognition: Implications for Human Factors, Systems Interaction, and Healthcare

Abstract

Decades of work have explored Type 1 (intuitive) and Type 2 (logical) thinking in people. We suggest the two work together to form a programmable co-processor which guides the way people understand and act. This model has profound implications for Human Factors design and can be applied to design how to improve quality in systems. This process affects how rapidly and readily people can operate systems or devices, and whether they will interact with them as intended or make errors due to (1) erroneous pattern matching with previous learning; (2) difficulty in creating the necessary new habits because they are so difficult, novel, or contrary to familiar behavior; or (3) cognitive overload. Lack of this perspective cripples quality in healthcare. Simple improvements could make dramatic improvements in healthcare quality and reductions in cost.