Review of "Software Psychology: Human Factors in Computer and Information Systems, by Ben Shneiderman", Winthrop Computer Systems Series, 1980

Abstract

The goal of Software Psychology, according to Professor Shneiderman, is "to facilitate the human use of computers." This is a significant goal and one for which a good book is long overdue. However, Professor Shneiderman's book does not quite reach its objective. In fact he is primarily concerned with programmer behavior; the stated objectives of Software Psychology are to enhance programming practice, refine programming techniques, improve teaching, develop software metrics and assess programmer aptitude and abilities. He does a thorough job of assessing the current state of the art in accomplishment of these objectives and in the last few chapters he focuses on design of systems for the nonprogramming user. But his concern is with facilitating computer usage, not with the broad issues of the impact of computer usage on individuals as organization members, as managers and as productive members of the society. For me, the title was somewhat misleading.