SOAL-SOAL PSIKOLOGI INDUSTRI DAN ORGANISASI

Pertemuan 21:

Psikologi Rekayasa

  1. Define ergonomics and describe its role and function in the workplace.
  2. Ergonomics - the design of machines and equipment for human use, and the determination of the appropriate human behaviors for the efficient operation of the machines. The field is also called human factors, human engineering, and engineering psychology.
  3. Its role and function in the workplace is the design of the machinery and equipment employees use to do their jobs and the workspaces in which those tasks are performed.
  1. When did the field of human factors begin? How did its early efforts help save the lives of military pilots?
  2. Prior to World War II the design of machinery, equipment, and industrial plants was solely the responsibility of engineers. Engineers made machines without considering the human factor. The worker was adapted to machines through time-and-motion studies.
  3. Engineering psychology evolved in response to the complexity of weaponry in WWII. Poor design resulted in many accidents. Engineering psychologists developed a consistent, standard arrangement of controls and instruments in the cockpit, so that they were similar across all aircraft. This saved pilots’ lives. To deal with human factors in aircraft accidents, the NTSB added engineering psychologists to its staff.
  1. Give an example of how human factors research has reduced the chances of being involved in a car crash.
  2. Human factors resulted in safer automobiles.
  3. Brightness of headlights
  4. Position, color, and brightness of tail lights
  5. The layout of dashboard controls and displays
  6. Effect of tinting
  7. Cell phone use by drivers
  1. Who was Frederick Taylor and what did he do to improve the job of shoveling?
  2. F.W. Taylor (1898) was a promoter of scientific management.
  3. He performed the first empirical demonstration of the relationship between work tools and worker efficiency.
  4. He introduced shovels of different sizes for handling different materials, saving a steel company $78,000 per year.
  5. He introduced the concept of incentive pay, allowing workers to increase their wages by up to 60 percent for higher productivity.
  1. How did Frank and Lillian Gilbreth change the way jobs are performed?
  2. The Gilbreths (1911) were interested in the mechanics of job performance - to eliminate all unnecessary motions. They started with improving the efficiency of brick laying (increasing the rate of brick laying from 120 to 350 bricks an hour, reducing motions from 18.5 to 4.5).
  3. Time and motion engineers have applied their techniques for many years.
  1. How did the Gilbreths apply time-and-motion study to everyday life?
  2. They organized their household and personal lives around the principles of time-and-motion economy.
  3. He saved 4 seconds by buttoning his vest bottom up; saved 17 seconds by using two brushes to shave, one for each hand.
  4. They attempted to schedule the activities of their 12 children.
  1. Describe several rules for increasing the ease, speed, and accuracy of manual jobs that developed from the findings of time-and-motion studies.
  2. Minimize the reaching distance from the worker.
  3. Symmetrical movements of both hands.
  4. Hands should never be idle.
  5. Hands never do tasks that can be performed by other parts of the body
  6. Work materials should be held by a vice.
  7. Workbench adjusted to prevent fatigue.
  1. What is the relationship of displays, controls, and the human operator in a person-machine system? Give an example of a person-machine system.
  2. Person-machine system - a system in which human and mechanical components operate together to accomplish a task.
  3. The operator receives input on the status of the machine from displays.
  4. The operator then regulates the equipment by using the controls to initiate some action.
  5. Cycle: displays - sensing - human information processing - controlling - controls - machine information processing - displays.
  6. Example - You are driving - you receive information from the speedometer - you perceive you’re driving too fast and ease up on the accelerator, thereby reducing the flow of fuel to the engine, which slows the speed of the car, which affects the displays.
  1. What advantages do humans have over machines? In what ways are machines superior to humans?
  2. Humans are more flexible, can learn from errors, and can improvise.
  3. Machines don’t get bored; detect stimuli beyond human capabilities; monitor reliably for extended periods; make large numbers of rapid, accurate calculations; apply continuous and rapid physical force; and engage in repetitive activities.
  1. How would you design a workspace for a person who is assembling and testing cell phones, so that the job can be performed rapidly and safely?
  2. Place all materials in order in which they’ll be used. Preposition tools for use. All parts and tools should be within 28”. Heights of all working surfaces should be adjustable. Hand tools should be designed for use without bending wrists.
  1. What is human anthropometry? How is it applied to workspace design? How is it used in the field of transportation, such as subway cars?
  2. Human anthropometry - a branch of engineering psychology concerned with the measurement of the physical structure of the body.
  3. It is applied to workspace design to determine normal and maximum reaching distances, tool and desk height and arrangement, size and shape of seats, and viewing angles for video display terminals.
  4. The seats in subways have become roomier. This also results in a reduction in the number of seats available.
  1. Under what conditions is the visual presentation of information superior to the auditory presentation of information? Give an example that involves your automobile.
  2. Visual presentation is appropriate when the message is long or complex; the environment is noisy, the auditory channels are overloaded; and there are multiple kinds of information to be displayed simultaneously.
  3. Example: Speedometer; temperature; RPM; error messages and warnings triggered by computer.
  1. Describe three types of visual displays and note what kind of information is best displayed on each.
  2. Quantitative displays - displays that present a precise numerical value, such as speed, altitude, or temperature.
  3. Qualitative displays - displays that present a range rather than a precise numerical value. They are frequently used to show whether components, such as engine temperature, are operating in the safe or unsafe range.
  4. Check reading displays - displays that tell the operator whether the system is on or off, safe or unsafe, or operating normally or abnormally. (Example: add oil warning light).
  1. What are some problems with auditory alarm systems? How would you correct these problems?
  2. Almost half of auditory alarms are ignored.
  3. “Nuisance alarms” serve only to add clutter or confusion to a critical and demanding job. They do not provide useful or meaningful information for the human operator.
  1. What is the field of telematics? Why is it important in engineering psychology?
  2. Telematics - refers to the wireless information technology you may have in your car, such as GPS navigation systems, satellite radio, or built in wireless phone.
  3. Engineering psychologists are involved in determining the nature and extent of distractions associated with this wireless technology and how best to equip the human operator to deal with them.
  1. What has human factors research learned about (a) the use of cell phones while driving, (b) leather versus fabric seating, (c) furniture for the classroom?
  2. Data are incomplete, but the use of cell phones is thought to be a major contributor to accidents. The chance of an accident is 4.3 times greater when the driver is using a cell phone.
  3. Fabric seats are more comfortable; leather seats cause us to perspire.
  4. Furniture for the classroom is found often to be poorly designed for the use and comfort of children. Chairs are often too high, the seats too deep, and desks too deep.
  1. How would you design a study to determine the most efficient ice cream scoop to minimize muscle strain?
  2. Measure the physical difficulty of scooping the ice cream. Compare the results.
  3. Measure at varying temperatures for the ice cream. Compare the results.
  4. Do the same for different models. Measure the results.
  1. What factors should be considered in designing a computer work station?
  2. Research findings indicate the computer keyboard should be downward sloping 15 degrees to reduce discomfort in the neck and back. An angle of 17 degrees for the computer monitor permits the best posture arrangement for viewing angle. The viewing distance should be 15-30 inches. Table and chair height should be adjustable (15-20” for the chair pan; 26-32” for the table). Screen height on the table should be 26-32”. A virtual mouse like a joystick eases tension.
  1. What are the most frequent complaints from computer users?
  2. Blurred vision, eyestrain, fatigue, and pain in the wrists, hands, shoulders, neck, and back.
  1. Would you rather read a magazine article on your computer screen or printed on paper? Which format provides for faster reading and better understanding?
  2. Paper format provides faster reading and higher comprehension.