Why Is Recognizing Much Easier for Us Than Recalling?
Long-Term Memory: Recall vs. Recognition
Keywords: graphic design, HCI, usability, Interface designers, software designers, web designers, web application designers, interaction designers, usability engineers
Throughout the development of the computer, it has transformed from a calculating machine into an indispensable device in modern society.
During the 19th century, computers were almost used by experts and were performed under hundreds of command-line. However, as computers become more widespread and commonly used, computer science and psychology have been of great concern and highly appreciated.
Today, we would broaden our horizon by understanding the psychological definitions of Recall and Recognition and their functions in user interface design through the following topic.
Our Attention is Limited; our Memory is Imperfect
The human brain is designed to recognize things quickly but has hindrances to recall old memories. It is explicable as our attention is limited and our memory is imperfect.
For instance, when people come across a new interface, their brain tends to look for the close characteristics to identify them. If they cannot recognize those events or pieces of information as familiar, they need to recall them from memory.
Remembering is significantly related to how our long-term memory works as perception approaches the brain, where a new complicated neural pattern is born based on its features and the context of the perception. These patterns of neural activity, which are considered memories, can be enacted in two ways:
- By more perceptions coming in from the senses, leading to the sense of recognition.
- By other brain activity, causing the form of Recall.
Recognizing things is more obtainable for people if providing enough memory cues than recalling them.
Why is Recognizing much easier for us than Recalling?
Let’s take an insight into the psychological definitions of the above and how they are applied to designing user interfaces.
Recognition
Recognition is the process that a person attains through exposure. By experiencing similar contexts and signals, it reactivates the pattern of neurons and constitutes a recognition process when it approaches the awareness system.
Basically, recognition can be obtained through the visual, auditory, olfactory, gustatory, or tactile sensory systems. Thus, it has no relevance to detailed information that may include specific phone numbers, dates of historical events, or the capital names of unknown countries.
For example, it usually takes people a fraction of a second to recognize human faces. Research also suggests that people spend at least 467ms categorizing famous faces despite using speed constraints.
Recall
In contrast, Recall is when people approach stored information without a similar perception.
Specifically, this process reactivates old neural patterns, which would not immediately provide a sense of similarity but require timing or endeavor to access the knowledge.
As a result, there is a likelihood that stored information will be complex or fail to recall at times. Due to complexity and time-wasting, our brains only evolve to recall information after a while. That leads to the development of various practical recall assistance such as note apps to remind us about the knowledge obtained from classwork or address books to retain contact information from friends or relatives,…
Recognition Is Easy, but Recall Is Hard
Considering the two concepts, it is widely assumed that recognition rather than Recall is the basis of a graphical user interface.
A menu system is one of the most classic examples of recognition-based user interfaces. Tracing back to the former computer systems, users were required to recall hundreds of command-line editors to perform their tasks, eventually decelerating their work productivity.
A contemporary menu table, which presents commands in menus, enables computer users to select their options through a simple term or a functioned icon and minimize the time used.
The recognition-based interface simplifies user experiences by eliminating commands in recall memory and remembering basic tasks.
Some successful examples supporting retrieval of information through recognition include desktop icons with physical objects to illustrate their function or history function on Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge to show users the recent visiting websites.
However, using languages to perform computing tasks would cause more expressive and thoroughgoing results, mainly implemented by experts.
Implications for user-interface design
Once having a thorough understanding of the general perception as well as Recall and recognition in particular, applications for user-interface design have been enacted in practice as follows:
Use thumbnail images to depict full-sized images compactly
Since recognition is generated through activating a neuron pattern in a similar context, displaying a fairly-familiar picture would stimulate the new perception in performing the same neural patterns.
As a result, applying the use of thumbnails gives users the ability to have an overall view of their task orientation and prioritize the most critical parts to concentrate on.
For instance, Microsoft PowerPoint provides the overview slide function for users, and Google Chrome has an overview screen for users to pick up and manage their tabs.
The larger the number of people who will use a function, the more visible the function should be
As aforementioned, Recall requires many complicated commands that only some users can perform well.
Thus, creators or inventors have to simplify the process by making it available for every user by prioritizing the recognition feature. Minimizing the memory load and making it visible to the users would ensure comfortability and convenience to stabilize the user experience.
By contrast, functions that are rarely used or used by experts or well-trained users tend to be hidden in bars such as More…, Details…, or by special keywords.
Use visual cues to let users recognize where they are
As Eye-catching visualization would make a great impression on users’ brains and memory systems, the distinctive key visual could help users to differentiate among websites, apps, or any tasks and conveniently locate them in their workspace.
Many browsers, such as Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome, have created an individual workspace for users and differentiate this tab by providing a distinctive black background and some personal key features to raise the users’ awareness about personalization.
Conclusion
As Nielsen stated in his 10 Usability Heuristics: “Minimize the user’s memory load by making objects, actions, and options visible,” known as “Recognition rather than recall,” proves the importance of recognition in user-interface design. Interfaces that promote recognition would make information more accessible to the users and ensure user experience satisfaction.
