Discovering the Human Actors in Human Factors

Abstract

This essay discusses some problems and prospects for the field of human factors or ergonomics, specifically the more recent, and diversified field of human-computer interaction. Its main aim is to develop awareness of how an often unarticulated, though dominant perspective in the field can blind us to other more fruitful conceptions of human-computer interactions, and to emphasize the importance of shifting perspectives in the design process.