Dual Process Theory as a framing heuristic for user cognition, amongst novice designers
Author
Hoseth, Johannes Birkedal
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2021
Submitted on
2021-06-18
Pages
133
Abstract
This thesis addresses a growing problem: novice designers with little or no usability knowledge are increasingly involved in, or even leading, design projects. The project explores whether simple, research-based heuristics (practical design guidelines) can make insights from cognitive science—especially how users think—easier for beginners to apply. The work uses Dual Process Theory (DPT), a framework that distinguishes between fast, automatic thinking and slow, deliberate thinking, as a way to frame these heuristics. The guiding question is how DPT can be turned into a practical tool for novice designers during concept creation and evaluation. The study proceeded in steps: a conceptual analysis of DPT; a review of design research on how to build effective heuristics; development of a prototype set of heuristics; a scientific validity check to ensure they represent cognitive science accurately; feedback from expert practitioners in a focus group; and a main study with seven novice designers. Each participant applied the heuristics in a case-based activity and was interviewed about the experience. Findings suggest that DPT is a promising framing device. It provides a clear, shared language about user cognition that helps novices articulate ideas using the “fast vs. slow” thinking metaphor. The DPT-based heuristics tended to play two roles during ideation: they could support concept generation by helping designers avoid cognitive fixation, but they could also interrupt a productive flow of ideas. During concept evaluation, participants consistently valued using the heuristics as a checklist, which helped them move beyond personal preferences and conduct early evaluations on more objective grounds.
Dette speciale tager fat på et voksende problem: novice-designere uden viden om usability deltager i, eller leder, designprojekter. Projektet undersøger, om simple, forskningsbaserede heuristikker (praktiske designretningslinjer) kan gøre indsigt fra kognitionsvidenskab—særligt hvordan brugere tænker—mere anvendelig for begyndere. Arbejdet bruger Dual Process Theory (DPT), et rammeværk der skelner mellem hurtig, automatisk tænkning og langsom, bevidst tænkning, som måde at indramme disse heuristikker. Det styrende spørgsmål er, hvordan DPT kan omsættes til et praktisk værktøj for novice-designere under konceptskabelse og evaluering. Studiet forløb i trin: en konceptuel analyse af DPT; en gennemgang af designforskning om, hvordan man bygger effektive heuristikker; udvikling af en prototype på heuristikkerne; et videnskabeligt validitetstjek for at sikre korrekt formidling af kognitionsforskning; feedback fra erfarne praktikere i en fokusgruppe; og et hovedstudie med syv novice-designere. Hver deltager anvendte heuristikkerne i en case-baseret aktivitet og blev interviewet om oplevelsen. Resultaterne peger på, at DPT er et lovende indramningsgreb. Det giver et klart, fælles sprog om brugerkognition, der hjælper begyndere med at sætte ord på ideer via metaforen “hurtig vs. langsom” tænkning. De DPT-baserede heuristikker havde typisk to roller under idegenerering: de kunne støtte konceptudvikling ved at forhindre kognitiv fiksering, men de kunne også afbryde en ellers god idéflow. Under konceptevaluering fandt deltagerne det konsekvent værdifuldt at bruge heuristikkerne som en tjekliste, hvilket hjalp dem videre fra personlige præferencer til tidlige, mere objektive vurderinger.
[This apstract has been rewritten with the help of AI based on the project's original abstract]
Keywords