Citation

McCarthy J, Wright P, Cooke M. Cogn. Technol. Work 2004; 6(2): 107-116.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s10111-004-0149-z

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In this paper, we argue that modelling human action as the execution of predetermined goals and cognition as information processing does not account for people's experience with emerging technologies, which is as much about values, trust and identity as about executing tasks. We offer a complementary approach to information processing within cognitive ergonomics, which builds on Bruner's characterisation of cognition as meaningmaking, and which sees human action as simultaneously creating and executing goals and human cognition as dialogical meaning making. An analysis of field work carried out in two ambulance control centres is employed to exemplify aspects of the creativity and responsivity of work activity that are central to our approach. Finally, in this context, we briefly consider how technological artefacts could be conceptualised as centres of value in an approach to cognitive ergonomics that attempts to accommodate the intellectual, emotional and valuative aspects of work activity.

Language: en