clumsy automation

in ergonomics, any reallocation of system functions from humans to machines that does not lead to the expected gains in safety and efficiency. This is usually because automation alters the human operator’s task, resulting in increased workload or underload. Similarly, machine functions may be misallocated to humans. See also adaptive task allocation; function allocation. [defined in 1989 by U.S. management scientist Earl Wiener (1949– )]

Browse dictionary by letter

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Psychology term of the day

March 16th 2025

state-dependent behavior

actions that are affected by one’s emotional state, such as saying something hurtful to another while angry.