ergonomic traps

components of a design that contribute to the probability of accidents and human error. Designs that are not intuitive or that violate normal human tendencies in terms of behavior and mental processing contain ergonomic traps. For example, clothes irons with the power cable on the right side present an ergonomic trap to someone who is left-handed. See behavior-based safety.

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Psychology term of the day

September 17th 2024

tremor

n. any involuntary trembling of the body or a part of the body (e.g., the hands) due to neurological or psychological causes. Psychological (or psychogenic) tremor may be mild, due to tension, or violent and uncontrolled in severe disturbances. Toxic effects of drugs or heavy metals may produce a transient tremor. A coarse tremor involves a large muscle group in slow movements, whereas a fine tremor is caused by a small bundle of muscle fibers that move rapidly. Some tremors occur only during voluntary movements (see action tremor); others occur in the absence of voluntary movement (see resting tremor). See also essential tremor.