engineering psychology

TOLING, KYRELLE & AVISO, MARTIN JAKE

BSMX 3-1
 WHAT is engineering psychology?
Engineering psychology is a subfield of psychology that focuses on improving technology, equipment, and
work environments to enhance human behavior and capabilities. It's closely related to ergonomics, aiming
to understand human capabilities and design user-friendly products and workspaces.

Here are two definitions of engineering psychology:

 The Psychology of Design and Human Performance: Engineering psychology is the scientific study
of how humans interact with machines, technology, and complex systems. It involves the application of
psychological principles and methods to design user-friendly products and systems that minimize
errors, improve efficiency, and enhance overall user experience. This field strives to understand human
capabilities, limitations, and behaviors to create designs that are both effective and comfortable for
users.
 Human Factors and Ergonomics Expertise: Engineering psychology can also be described as the
practice of applying human factors and ergonomics principles to the design and evaluation of various
human-machine interfaces and environments. This includes the consideration of factors such as user
interface design, cognitive workload, physical ergonomics, and organizational behavior to optimize the
usability, safety, and overall performance of systems and products.
practical significance
 Origins

 The field of experimental psychology, which gained prominence during World Wars I
and II, focuses on weapon design to minimize human errors and increase accuracy.
Today, it is growing significantly due to increased technology and equipment usage.

What Does an Engineering Psychologist Do?

 Engineering psychologists use psychological principles to solve real-world problems.
 People who work in this profession help improve, and sometimes even save, human lives.
By minimizing the risks of accidents and errors, engineering psychologists can make
products, systems, and workplaces safer.
 These professionals can specialize in a
number of different areas, such as:
 Aerospace
 Education and training
 Ergonomics
 Environmental safety
 Healthcare systems and technology
 Human-computer interaction
 Human performance
 Product design
 Usability
 Virtual reality
 Workplace safety
 Engineering psychologists

Engineering psychologists make the

technology we use every day more reliable,
useful, and safe. Some examples of
products that they might work to design or
improve include;
GPS systems, mobile phones, medical
equipment, military equipment, aviation
technology, traffic systems, and motor
vehicles.
 Tasks of Engineering Psychologists

Some tasks that an engineering psychologist might perform in this line of work include:

 Analyzing how people interact and use equipment and technology

 Creating safe products and designs intended to minimize human errors
 Designing medical equipment to minimize the risks of medical mistakes
 Exploring ways to make technology more accessible to people with disabilities
 Investigating workplace accidents and searching for ways to prevent accidents from
happening again in the future
 Implementing user feedback into future iterations of product designs
 Surveying populations to learn more about user needs or to discover which products appeal
to specific demographics
summary
 references

MSEd, K. C. (2022). Engineering Psychology Career Overview. Verywell Mind.

https://www.verywellmind.com/engineering-psychologist-2795650
Human Factors Psychology Studies Humans and machines. (n.d.). https://www.apa.org.
https://www.apa.org/education-career/guide/subfields/human-factors#:~:text=Human
%20factors%20and%20engineering%20psychologists,devices%20we%20use%20every%20day.
Engineering Psychology. (2018, September 11). What is Engineering Psychology? [Video].
YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnaBEznBOA8
 Thank you!
TOLING, KYRELLE & AVISO, MARTIN JAKE
BSMX 3-1