Cognitive Technologies: The Design of Joint Human-Machine Cognitive Systems

This article explores the implications of one type of cognitive technology, techniques and concepts to develop joint human-machine cognitive systems, for the application of computational technology by examining the joint cognitive system implicit in a hypothetical computer consultant that outputs some form of problem solution. This analysis reveals some of the problems can occur in cognitive system design-e.g., machine control of the interaction, the danger of a responsibility-authority double-bind, and the potentially difficult and unsupported task of filtering poor machine solutions. The result is a challenge for applied cognitive psychology to provide models, data, and techniques to help designers build an effective combination between the human and machine elements of a joint cognitive system.