A clear and detailed understanding of how people make use of tools can make a significant contribution to the field of ergonomics, says Baber (ergonomics, U. of Birmingham), and integrates findings on tool use that are known in anthropology, architecture, and other human sciences but not necessarily outside the discipline of their origin. One of the key issues he addresses is the relationship between physical and cognitive activity when animate beings interact with their environment. He explores how animals use tools, tools used by primates and young children, designing and making tools, the semantics of tools, how tool use breaks down, and other topics leading to a proposed theory of tool use. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR More Reviews and Recommendations

Tags: cognition and tool use