Human Memory Compositions: An Overview
In a thought-provoking video discussion, Alan Dix, a renowned expert in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), delves into the intricacies of human memory, offering valuable insights into long-term, short-term, and working memory, as well as sensory memory [1].
Human memory, it seems, is not a fixed, centralised store of information, but rather a distributed, constructed, and adaptive system. It encodes and stores memory fragments across various brain regions, reconstructing experiences based on previous knowledge and expectations, which helps prepare for future decisions, yet also makes memory prone to errors like distortions or false source attribution [1].
The organisation of human memory operates through encoding, storage, and retrieval processes, akin to a filing system but more dynamic and reconstructive. To manage complexity, the brain uses semantic clustering or “gist”, grouping related information into meaningful clusters to improve organisation and recall [1]. Furthermore, memory is not just retrospective but fundamentally future-oriented, allowing the brain to simulate possible future scenarios and guide decision-making [1].
As we delve into the implications for design and haptic interfaces, it becomes clear that designing with human memory in mind requires minimising cognitive load by creating clear, consistent, and predictable interfaces, which helps users form effective mental models and reduces errors [2]. Tangible and haptic interfaces enhance memory by grounding digital interactions in physical actions, leveraging users’ intuitive understanding of real-world cause and effect [4].
Physical feedback through haptics (e.g., clicks, vibrations, resistance) provides immediate confirmation and sensory reinforcement of user actions, thereby strengthening memory associations between actions and outcomes. This approach reduces reliance on memory alone, supports intuitive navigation, and improves confidence and engagement, especially for users who depend on tactile rather than visual or auditory cues [4].
However, it's essential to remember that memory is error-prone due to its reconstructive nature, leading to issues like source memory failure or gist-based distortions, where specific item details may be lost or confused [1]. It also has limited capacity for sustained attention and retention, so design should avoid overwhelming users with excessive or poorly organised information [2].
Memory retention is optimised by adaptive forgetting, prioritising useful over irrelevant information, which means non-essential information is more easily lost [1]. In summary, understanding that human memory is distributed, reconstructive, and error-prone guides designers to create systems and haptic interfaces that reduce cognitive load, reinforce memory through embodied interactions, and provide timely, meaningful feedback to align with human cognitive strengths and limitations [1][2][4].
The goal of this discussion is to enhance understanding of memory functions, delve into long-term memory's role in shaping identity, and explore the limitations of human memory. The video serves as a useful resource for learning more about memory, and the insights gained can make designers more effective in creating interfaces that cater to the unique quirks and capabilities of human memory.
UI design in the realm of health-and-wellness and mental health could greatly benefit from understanding human memory's reconstructive nature, as it can guide designers to create interfaces that minimize cognitive load, reinforce memory through embodied interactions, and provide timely, meaningful feedback. Moreover, the insights gleaned from this discussion on memory could translate into science and technology as well, helping to create digital tools that align with human cognitive strengths and limitations.
