Behavioral Aspects of Information Processing for the Design of Management Information Systems

A computer-based management information system consists of two major components: the machine and the human user. The designers of these systems often do not consider the capabilities and inadequacies of the human component. As a consequence, the computer with its vast information processing abilities tends to overload the human user. This leads to a waste of computing resources and interferes with the proper functioning of the human element. Various models of human information processing behavior are discussed to provide some suggestions for information system design. The topics covered include human abilities to integrate information and judge probabilistic information accurately, the factors which cause information overload, and individual differences in information handling abilities.