Optimization in Mental Configuration Space: The Case of Pointing Behavior

This chapter describes a geometric approach to human cognition centering on the concept of mental configuration space. As a case study of the approach, this work details a study that derives performance models for an important class of motor behavior—pointing in the two dimensional space. The five derived models and three existing models in the literature are compared using an experimental study. It is found that the models developed on the basis of mental configuration space fit the empirical data better than other models. It is argued that the mental configuration space concept points to a potentially fruitful direction of research. Finally, the chapter discusses the implications of such an approach for user interface research and development. DOI: 10.4018/978-1-4666-1628-8.ch009