A Fundamental Cognitive Taxonomy for Cognition Aids

Abstract

Objective This study aimed to organize the literature on cognitive aids to allow comparison of findings across studies and link the applied work of aid development to psychological constructs and theories of cognition. Background Numerous taxonomies have been developed, all of which label cognitive aids via their surface characteristics. This complicates integration of the literature, as a type of aid, such as a checklist, can provide many different forms of support (cf. prospective memory for steps and decision support for alternative diagnoses). Method In this synthesis of the literature, we address the disparate findings and organize them at their most basic level: Which cognitive processes does the aid need to support? Which processes do they support? Such processes include attention, perception, decision making, memory, and declarative knowledge. Results Cognitive aids can be classified into the processes they support. Some studies focused on how an aid supports the cognitive processes demanded by the task (aid function). Other studies focused on supporting the processes needed to utilize the aid (aid usability). Conclusion Classifying cognitive aids according to the processes they support allows comparison across studies in the literature and a formalized way of planning the design of new cognitive aids. Once the literature is organized, theory-based guidelines and applied examples can be used by cognitive aid researchers and designers. Application Aids can be designed according to the cognitive processes they need to support. Designers can be clear about their focus, either examining how to support specific cognitive processes or improving the usability of the aid.

Diminishing Reality: Potential Benefits and Risks

“…Cognitive aids are tools that can support cognitive processes that may be likely to fail during complex, demanding tasks. They can come in many different forms, such as checklists, decision aids, or automation and can support attention, memory, perception, decision making, and knowledge (McLaughlin & Byrne, 2020). Cognitive aids are commonly used in the medical field, where practitioners use checklists to support memory, enhance recognition of emergencies, as well as structure or standardize actions and communication (Marshall, 2013).…”

The Effects of Augmented Reality Remapping on Individual Differences in Task Performance, Workload, and Error Frequency within ICU Nurses

“…Cognitive aids, from paper checklists to decision support software, assist attentional processes and facilitate decision making, resulting in decreases in mental demand. These support tools assist individuals by lessening the negative impact of cognitive limitations, particularly in relation to attention, perception, and memory (McLaughlin & Byrne, 2020), with the goal of decreased error rates in complex tasks. Cognitive aids are especially helpful in healthcare environments, where cognitive and performance errors can result in detriments to patient health or other accidents.…”

Guiding Attention via a Cognitive Aid During a Simulated In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Scenario: A Salience Effort Expectancy Value Model Analysis

“…However, guiding attention in complex situations with multiple task threads, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with chest compressions and ventilation in a patient with cardiac arrest, is challenging. For such situations, so-called cognitive aids have been suggested to support adequate attention distribution or other cognitive processes (McLaughlin & Byrne, 2020). Cognitive aids have been designed and evaluated in relation to technical or nontechnical performance (e.g., Marshall, 2013); however, to the best of our knowledge, their effect on attention distribution and the quality of attention distribution has not been assessed.…”