Cognitive ergonomics involves addressing the mental strain caused by our thinking processes while at work. The field of cognitive ergonomics continues to grow as companies realize the importance of creating a balance between human cognitive abilities and limitations in accordance with machines, computers, tasks and the workplace environment.
In plain terms: cognitive ergonomics is the practice of designing tasks, software, displays, and work environments so they match how people perceive, remember, reason, and react. Done well, it lowers mental workload, cuts human error, and helps people perform better under time pressure, the mental counterpart to the physical side of ergonomics.
Key takeaways
- Cognitive ergonomics focuses on mental workload, perception, memory, reasoning, and decision-making, not just posture.
- Its two main goals are reducing human error and improving performance.
- Common examples include user-centered software, clear signage, consistent controls, and alarm systems that prioritize critical alerts.
- Lighting, glare, and screen position affect cognitive load as much as physical comfort.
- Look first at tasks where errors repeat or new employees take longest to learn.
Physical and mental demands differ a great deal from one job to the next, which is why we treat cognitive factors as one piece of workplace ergonomics by industry. Generally, cognition in the workplace includes the following areas.
What Does Cognitive Ergonomics Cover in the Work Environment?
In the work environment, cognitive ergonomics looks at how much mental effort a job demands and how well people are equipped to meet it. That includes:
- Mental workload
- Skills and abilities
- Performance
- Human-computer interaction and user interface
- Human reliability
- Work stress
- Training
What Does It Cover in Relation to a Given System?
When people interact with a specific system, such as software, a machine, or a control panel, cognitive ergonomics examines four core mental processes:
- Perception
- Memory (short and long term)
- Reasoning
- Motor response
The rapid increase of software and computer use throughout the day, as well as a faster-paced work environment, puts greater pressure on employees' cognitive processes. People now work under tighter time constraints with simultaneous goals that may conflict. Therefore, cognitive ergonomics aims to reduce human error and increase performance.
Mental workload at a glance
| Cognitive factor | What overloads it | Ergonomic fix |
|---|---|---|
| Perception | Glare, poor lighting, cluttered displays | Glare control, task lighting, clean screen layouts |
| Memory | Long procedures held in your head, frequent interruptions | Checklists, clear signage, fewer context switches |
| Reasoning | Conflicting goals, unclear priorities | Defined workflows and visible priorities |
| Motor response | Inconsistent controls, crowded buttons | Consistent control layouts and color schemes |
| Work stress | Constant alarms, time pressure | Alarm prioritization and realistic workload planning |
What Are Some Cognitive Ergonomics Examples at Work?
The most common cognitive ergonomics examples are user-centered software, clear workplace signage, and work layouts that reduce mental workload. As automation and the use of machines increase, there is a greater emphasis on the user friendliness and interface of these tools. User-centered software design is pivotal for training new employees and increasing the efficiency of current ones.
It can be helpful to have workplace signs that are designed in a way that improves comprehension and compliance with business goals. Managing workload and increasing the reliability of employees can be achieved through working systems and the layout of environments. The same thinking applies on a job site: clear procedures and simple, consistent tools matter as much as lifting technique, a point we expand on in our guide to construction ergonomics for small businesses.
High-stakes environments
When it comes to environments like cockpits or nuclear power plant control rooms, adaptations to the work environment can greatly improve usability, clarity and safety. Instrument and button displays play a big role in these types of jobs, and therefore the work panel can be adjusted in certain ways to reduce errors that could lead to catastrophe. Factory floors and control stations face similar demands, which is why cognitive design is part of most industrial ergonomic solutions.
For example:
- Ensure appropriate lighting and glare reduction to minimize reading errors on panel displays.
- Make controls and color schemes consistent in every situation so that staff can react correctly during an emergency or time-sensitive situation.
- Curate a system that suppresses less important alarms when crucial ones are sounding, to help employees prioritize their reactions.
How Can You Apply Cognitive Ergonomics in an Office?
In an office, start with the screen and the surroundings: reduce glare, light the task properly, and position monitors so information is easy to read without strain. In our evaluations we often find that a dim desk or a monitor reflecting a window makes people squint, lean in, and tire faster, physically and mentally. A glare-free task light such as the Humanscale Horizon 2.0 LED Task Lamp and a monitor arm that lets you set screen height and distance are simple first steps.
- Reduce interruptions: batch notifications and set focus blocks for detail-heavy work.
- Simplify tools: standardize templates and software settings across the team.
- Make priorities visible: clear task boards cut the mental juggling of conflicting goals.
- Train for the system: short, hands-on training lowers errors more than long manuals.
Recommended Products for Cognitive Ergonomics
Where Should Your Business Start?
Start with the tasks that consistently produce human error or that new employees take much longer to grasp. Automated systems and computer-based work will only take on an increasingly larger role in the workplace over time, and these trouble spots are usually where your systems or software need improvement. For a look at where that trend is heading, read about how AI is changing workplace ergonomics.
If you'd like an expert eye on your team's workstations and workflows, our specialists can help. 👉 Request an Ergonomic Evaluation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is cognitive ergonomics in simple terms?
Cognitive ergonomics is designing work so it fits how the human mind works. It looks at perception, memory, reasoning, and reaction so tasks, software, and environments cause less mental strain and fewer errors.
What is the difference between physical and cognitive ergonomics?
Physical ergonomics deals with the body: posture, repetitive motion, lifting, and workstation fit. Cognitive ergonomics deals with mental workload, attention, and decision-making. Most real jobs need both, because a tired or uncomfortable body also makes thinking harder.
What are examples of cognitive ergonomics?
Examples include intuitive software interfaces, clear safety signage, consistent control layouts and color schemes, alarm systems that prioritize critical alerts, and lighting that reduces glare on displays. Each one lowers the mental effort needed to do the job correctly.
How do you reduce mental workload at work?
Reduce interruptions, simplify and standardize tools, make priorities visible, and train people on the systems they actually use. Good lighting and a well-positioned screen also help, because squinting and searching for information add to mental fatigue.
About the Author
Anne Kramer writes for Ask Ergo Works, where our ergonomic specialists have been fitting chairs and workstations from our Palo Alto showroom for more than 30 years.
