Human–computer interaction

Human–computer interaction (HCI) is research in the design and the use of <a href="/facts/Computing/Kghtm9fX">computer technology</a>, which focuses on the <a href="/facts/Interface_(computing)/zdfp8unT">interfaces</a> between people (<a href="/facts/User_(computing)/zQRzG0KG">users</a>) and <a href="/facts/Computer/SQe1aK05">computers</a>. HCI researchers observe the ways humans interact with computers and design technologies that allow humans to interact with computers in novel ways. A device that allows interaction between human being and a computer is known as a "human–computer interface".
As a field of research, human–computer interaction is situated at the intersection of <a href="/facts/Computer_science/lN3pEyPz">computer science</a>, <a href="/facts/Behavioural_sciences/bSak3jfx">behavioral sciences</a>, <a href="/facts/Design/kR4GNeja">design</a>, <a href="/facts/Media_studies/u4dgw2G8">media studies</a>, and <a href="/facts/Outline_of_human%E2%80%93computer_interaction/LlJMpIp9">several other fields of study</a>. The term was popularized by <a href="/facts/Stuart_K._Card/21k9G4cs">Stuart K. Card</a>, <a href="/facts/Allen_Newell/61yUQ647">Allen Newell</a>, and <a href="/facts/Thomas_P._Moran/6XVnWSI3">Thomas P. Moran</a> in their 1983 book, The Psychology of Human–Computer Interaction. The first known use was in 1975 by Carlisle. The term is intended to convey that, unlike other tools with specific and limited uses, computers have many uses which often involve an open-ended dialogue between the user and the computer. The notion of dialogue likens human–computer interaction to human-to-human interaction: an analogy that is crucial to theoretical considerations in the field.

Human–computer interaction open-in-new

Human–computer interaction