CUA CUA Cognitive Psychology & Mental Models

Question 1

What psychological concept describes a user's internal representation of how a system works based on prior experience?

Accepted Answer

Mental model

Answer

A mental model is the user's internal representation of how a system works, shaped by prior knowledge and experience.

Question 2

Miller's Law ('7 plus or minus 2') refers to which cognitive concept relevant to UX design?

Accepted Answer

Working memory capacity

Answer

Miller's Law states that humans can hold approximately 7 (±2) items in working memory at one time, guiding how much to present at once.

Question 3

Which term describes the total mental effort required to process information and complete a task in an interface?

Accepted Answer

Cognitive load

Answer

Cognitive load is the amount of mental effort used in working memory, and reducing it is a core goal of usable interface design.

Question 4

When a user makes errors because they expect a new system to behave like a familiar one, this is known as:

Accepted Answer

Negative transfer

Answer

Negative transfer occurs when prior learning about one system interferes with learning a new system that works differently.

Question 5

Which Gestalt principle explains why users perceive interface elements placed close together as belonging to the same group?

Accepted Answer

Proximity

Answer

The Gestalt principle of proximity states that objects positioned near each other are perceived as related or grouped together.

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