Applying Psychology to Text Design: A Case History

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to indicate the nature of applied psychology and the skills that applied psychologists can bring to the area of text design. These skills are illustrated with examples from the author's own work and that of colleagues conducted over a twenty-five year period. People in the field of information science play a variety of roles and use a variety of skills to carry out their work effectively. Applied psychologists similarly, use a variety of roles and use a variety of skills in this respect [1]. In this paper I want to describe - using a case-history format - how I have applied my skills as a psychologist to the area of text design. My purpose in doing this is to convey the flavour of the work of applied psychologists to readers who may not be familiar with what psychologists actually do.