A PILOT STUDY ON THE EFFECTS OF INDIVIDUALIZATION IN MAN-COMPUTER-INTERACTION

Abstract For the regulation of action is the task-related mental model crucial. The learning process combines hierarchies of operations to action-schemes. We hypothesize (1) that individualized work is not necessarily less efficient than prescribed work and (2) that problems in man-computer-interaction are due to the discrepancy between action-schemes, mental representation and scope of action on one side and proscribed action-schemes by software commands on the other side. We constructed a computer game to investigate these problems experimentally. We suggest a measure to evaluate the usage of scope of action. The results show that dialogues have to be tailored for and by the individual to his or her demands and abilities or cognitive style in order to improve efficiency and to give optimal chances of task orientation.