ABSTRACT
Allen Newell believed there was a symbiotic relationship between theory and application. In particular, a good theory of the human mind would “help us in arranging [the human-computer] interface so it is easy, efficient, error-free—even enjoyable” (Card, Moran, & Newell, 1983, p. 1). In return, “applied investigations vitalize the basic science; they reveal new phenomena and set forth clearly what it is that needs explanation” (Card et al., 1983, p. 14). In Chapter 8, Stuart Card gave us many examples on one side of this relationship, that is, how theories of human performance can be applied to the design of computer systems. He showed us how theories can be used to evaluate artifacts and design ideas, how they can generate novel ideas, give us abstractions to help accumulate design experience, and help organize exploratory systems development. In this chapter, I take us around the full cycle of the symbiotic relationship several times, from application to theory, from theory to application, with human-computer interaction (HCI) in computer system design as the application and Soar as the theory of human performance.
