Utilizing Human Cognitive and Emotional Factors for User-Centered Computing

Intelligent interactive systems should not ignore the individuality of the user. The "one-size-fits-all" approach, especially in user interaction, is not appropriate when user satisfaction and acceptability is a primary goal. Each user has unique human cognitive processing styles and abilities. In addition, emotions change over time, which possibly affect the user's cognitive state and the overall interaction process. Unsurprisingly, the users' ability to control their emotions is another essential factor in adapting user interfaces, applications and data delivery. How can an interactive system adapt to human cognitive and emotional factors with the aim to deliver a personalized and more usable interface? Is there a user interface to an application or system that is equally effective to all types of users? How can we place the human in the center of every day's interaction and task activity? This keynote speech will present some approaches that our work at the DMAC Lab/SCRAT Group has addressed on how individual differences in human cognitive processing and emotional factors place the user in the center of every day interaction.