title: The Model Human Processor and the older adult: parameter estimation and validation within a mobile phone task.
abstract: The authors estimate weighted mean values for nine information processing parameters for older adults using the Card, Moran, and Newell (1983) Model Human Processor model. The authors validate a subset of these parameters by modeling two mobile phone tasks using two different phones and comparing model predictions to a sample of younger (N = 20; M-sub(age) = 20) and older (N = 20; M-sub(age) = 69) adults. Older adult models fit keystroke-level performance at the aggregate grain of analysis extremely well (R = 0.99) and produced equivalent fits to previously validated younger adult models. Critical path analyses highlighted points of poor design as a function of cognitive workload, hardware/software design, and user characteristics. The findings demonstrate that estimated older adult information processing parameters are valid for modeling purposes, can help designers understand age-related performance using existing interfaces, and may support the development of age-sensitive technologies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Florida State University, 1107 W Call Street, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4301, USA. tiffany.jastrzembski@mesa.afmc.af.mil
authors.forename: Tiffany S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Jastrzembski
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Charness
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D040421:Cell Phone; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008606:Mental Processes; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011930:Reaction Time; D012438:Saccades / Q000502:physiology