Information Foraging Theory 论文

摘要

Abstract Modern mankind forages in a world awash in information, of our own creation, which can be transformed into knowledge that shapes and powers our engagement with nature. We produce a staggering volume of content that can be transmitted at the speed of light. This wealth of information provides resources for adapting to the problems posed by our increasingly complex world. However, this information environment poses its own complex problems that require adaptive strategies for information foraging. This book is about Information Foraging Theory, which aims to explain and predict how people will best shape themselves to their information environments, and how information environments can best be shaped to people. This book presents the details of empirical investigations of its predictions, and applications of the theory to the engineering and design of user interfaces. The theory and methodology have been developed by drawing upon work on the rational analysis of cognition, computational cognitive modeling, behavioral ecology, and microeconomics. Empirical research that has shaped Information Foraging Theory has included the study of application problems in human—information interaction, which is emerging as a new branch in the field traditionally known as human—computer interaction. The insights and results are intended to be relevant to the practitioner interested in a deeper understanding of information-seeking behavior and guidance on new user interface designs.