ABSTRACT
Given practice, people generate new more efficient strategies for achieving desired goals. However, some researchers have observed that even experienced users of computer systems persist with relatively inefficient strategies. One reason for these findings may be a reduced opportunity to use efficient strategies in tasks where higher goal constraints are present. In this study half of the participants completed a drawing task in Microsoft PowerPoint in which they had to design the layout of a computer room and study area; the other half completed an equivalent drawing task that involved no higher goal constraints. Those with higher goal constraints were slower to generate more efficient strategies. This can be accounted for by a reduced opportunity to use ‘efficient’ strategies. Experience in other computer packages and strategic knowledge also influenced strategy generation.
