Design and the Social Sciences: Making Connections : CRC Press : 9780415273763 : 0415273765 : 25 Apr 2002 : The social sciences have a distinctive contribution to make to the understanding and handling of design issues, both in product and systems design and in the design of the built environment. The role of cognitive psychology, particularly ergonomics, to the design process has traditionally been well appreciated. Because it provides important insights into the way people process information cognitively, it is a powerful tool for the design of usable products, buildings and systems. This book explores the disciplines of social psychology, sociology and anthropology, which provide techniques for investigating the relationships between people and design, in assessing the role that products and the built environment play in peoples lives and in setting product requirements based on this understanding. These include ergonomic user requirements, such as usability and accessibility, and a