Accounting for memes in sociotechnical systems: Extending the abstraction hierarchy to consider cognitive objects

Anthony W Carden; Natassia Goode; Paul M Salmon

doi:10.1080/00140139.2019.1603403

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Accounting for memes in sociotechnical systems: Extending the abstraction hierarchy to consider cognitive objects

Journal article

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Accounting for memes in sociotechnical systems: Extending the abstraction hierarchy to consider cognitive objects

Anthony W Carden, Natassia Goode and Paul M Salmon

Ergonomics, Vol.62(7), pp.849-863

2019

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00140139.2019.1603403

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Abstract

cognitive object

work domain analysis

abstraction hierarchy

meme

cognitive work analysis

Work Domain Analysis (WDA) is used to model the functional structure of sociotechnical systems (STS) via the Abstraction Hierarchy (AH). By identifying objects, processes, functions and measures that support system purposes, WDA reveals constraints within the system. Traditionally, the AH describes system elements at the lowest level of abstraction as physical objects. Multiple analyses of complex systems reveal that many include objects that exist only at a conceptual level. This paper argues that, by extending the AH to include cognitive objects, the analytical power of WDA is extended, and novel areas of application are enabled. Three case studies are used to demonstrate the role that cognitive objects play within STS. It is concluded that cognitive objects are a valid construct that offer a significant enhancement of WDA and enable its application to some of the world's most pressing problems. Implications for future applications of WDA and the AH are discussed.

Details

Title: Accounting for memes in sociotechnical systems: Extending the abstraction hierarchy to consider cognitive objects
Authors: Anthony W Carden (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - School of Social Sciences
Natassia Goode (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - School of Social Sciences
Paul M Salmon (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - School of Social Sciences
Publication details: Ergonomics, Vol.62(7), pp.849-863
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
Date published: 2019
DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2019.1603403
ISSN: 0014-0139
Copyright note: Copyright © 2019. This is an electronic version of an article published in Tony Carden, Natassia Goode & Paul M. Salmon (2019) Accounting for memes in sociotechnical systems: extending the abstraction hierarchy to consider cognitive objects, Ergonomics, 62:7, 849-863, DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2019.1603403. Ergonomics is available online at: http://www.tandfonline.com/openurl?genre=article&issn=0014-0139&volume=62&issue=7&spage=849
Grants: A new complex systems approach to road trauma: Applying systems thinking to the fatal five, FT140100681, Australian Research Council (Australia, Canberra) - ARC
Organisation Unit: Centre for Human Factors and Systems Science; School of Law and Society
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99451378202621
Output Type: Journal article

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Web Of Science research areas: Engineering, Industrial; Ergonomics; Psychology; Psychology, Applied