Biomechanics Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Biomechanics, including details on mechanics of living organisms, movement, locomotion, prosthetic limbs.

Cognitive aspects of tool use.

Baber C

Electronic, Electrical & Computer Engineering, The University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT UK. c.baber@bham.ac.uk

Tool use has traditionally been viewed as primarily a physical activity, with little consideration given to the cognitive aspects that might be involved. In this paper, a new approach to considering tool use in terms of Forms of Engagement is presented and discussed. This approach combines notions of schema from cognitive psychology with the idea of task-specific devices to explain psychomotor aspects of using tools. From the perspective of Forms of Engagement, various aspects of craftwork and skilled tool use are considered.

Published 15 November 2005 in Appl Ergon, 37(1): 3-15.
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