Work

The Model Human Processor and the older adult: Parameter estimation and validation within a mobile phone task.

Year: 2007

Type: article

Abstract: The authors estimate weighted mean values for nine information processing parameters for older adults using the Card, Moran, and Newell (1983) Model Human Processor model. The authors validate a subset of these parameters by modeling two mobile phone tasks using two different phones and comparing model predictions to a sample of younger (N = 20; M-sub(age) = 20) and older (N = 20; M-sub(age) = 69) adults. Older adult models fit keystroke-level performance at the aggregate grain of analysis extremely well (R = 0.99) and produced equivalent fits to previously validated younger adult models. Critical path analyses highlighted points of poor design as a function of cognitive workload, hardware/software design, and user characteristics. The findings demonstrate that estimated older adult information processing parameters are valid for modeling purposes, can help designers understand age-related performance using existing interfaces, and may support the development of age-sensitive technologies.

Source: Journal of Experimental Psychology Applied

DOI: 10.1037/1076-898x.13.4.224

Authors: Tiffany S. Jastrzembski, Neil Charness

Institution: Florida State University

Language: English

Topic: Technology Use by Older Adults

Subfield: Demography

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institute on Aging

Awards: G3304232634, G5357538828, G6246809988