Explain the disciplines relating to human computer interaction

Disciplines contributing to HCI
The field of HCI covers a wide range of topics, and its development has relied on contributions from
many disciplines. Some of the main disciplines which have contributed to HCI are:
Computer Science
The main contribution of computer science is to provide knowledge about the capability of
technology and ideas about how this potential can be harnessed. Various kinds of techniques to
support software design, development and maintenance have been of concern to computer
scientists.
Developments include; high level programming languages e.g. 4th and 5th GL, user interface
management systems (UIMS), debugging tools, prototyping tools, re-use and reverse engineering
concepts and multimedia technology
Cognitive Psychology
This is concerned with understanding human behavior and the mental processes that underlie it.
The important areas in HCI design are perception, attention, memory, learning, thinking and
problem solving
Social and Organization Psychology
This is concerned with studying the nature and causes of human behavior in a social context. The
four core concerns of psychology are:
? The influence of one individual to another person’s attitudes and behavior.
? The impact of a group on its member’s attitudes and behavior
? The impact of a member on the group’s activities.
? The relationship between the structure and activities of different groups. The role of
social and organizational psychology is to inform designers about social and
organizational structures and about how the introduction of computers will influence
working practices.
Ergonomics or Human Factors
The purpose of ergonomics is to define and design tools and various artifacts for different work,
leisure and domestic environment to suit the capacities and capabilities of users. The role of ergonomics is to translate information from the above sciences into the context of design. The
objective is to maximize operators such as safety, efficiency and reliability of performance to
make a task easier and to increase feelings of comfort and satisfaction.
Linguistics
This is the scientific study of languages. Within HCI understanding the structure i.e. (syntax) and
meaning i.e. (semantics) is important in developing natural language interfaces and conventional
analysis which has been used to understand how individuals and groups interact with computers
in natural environments.
Artificial Intelligence
This is concerned with the development of intelligent computer programs which simulate
different aspects of intelligent human behavior. In particular the focus has been on presenting
knowledge structures that are utilized in human problem solving.
Philosophy, socializing and anthropology
A major concern of the disciplines has been to consider the implications of the introduction of IT
to society
Engineering and Design
Engineering is an applied science that takes the findings of science and utilizes it in the
production of objects. Design contributes skill and knowledge to this process.
Note: HCI is neither the study of humans nor the study of technology but the bridge between
these two. Its role is to enhance the quality of interaction between humans and computer
systems. This is achieved through systematically applying knowledge about humans goals,
capabilities and limitations with knowledge about computer’s capabilities and limitations.

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Moraa orina answered the question on April 22, 2018 at 17:45