Information Technology and People: Designing for the Future

Today's rapid growth in information technology has occurred without a full understanding of the human consequences of its use--on individuals, on organizations, and on society as a whole. As a result, initial expectations have frequently not been met, and a backlash has developed. Clearly a more realistic approach to information technology is needed, and applied psychology can offer great help in this effort. This book takes a problem-centered approach to questions of usability, applicability, and acceptability, giving an overview of current research on information technology at work, at home, in education, and in medicine, and where possible, making recommendations for the future. Chapters cover psychology and information technology; management, workers, and the new technologies; factory automation; ergonomics and the new technologies; office systems; expert systems in the health field; health care; the disabled; computers in education; attitudes toward the new technologies; information technology and home-based services; and information technology in the home.