First, examine the product (the VCR) and the set of instructions given to the owner. You want to analyze the instructions on how to make the product work (essentially, the buttons that the owner has to engage in order to program the VCR).

Consider the frailties of the human information processing system (perceptual systems, learning systems, and memory systems ). It is apparent that the design of the VCR ignores some bottlenecks endemic in the information processing system. Write an analysis of how the product could be re-designed so that the consumer could engage the VCR more productively.

The analysis should go into some depth in identifying the problem and the recommended solution . You should identify specifically the problem(s) and how your proposal solves the problem(s). The wise student would focus on one or at most two issues.

In this given example of Sony Video Cassette Recorder (VCR), the issue in which the company faces is that the company is not being user friendly in providing the set of instruction to the user. The manual is presented with a lot of technical terms that will impede the learning process of the users. In addition, these technical jargons will result in users having to make a deliberate effort in deciphering the meaning of these terms before being able to commit to their memory, a condition known as effortful processing.

For their consumers to engage the VCR more productively, Sony needs to understand the learning patterns and memory capabilities of their consumers. Sony should be more user friendly by using simpler words together with more visual aids in their manual. Visual aids like diagrams serve as cue to cue their memories on how to use them and these diagrams also make it easier for them to understand. This is known as the application of sensory theme where it involves the making use of senses to improve memory. By using visual aids, the sense of sight is used. The use of visual aids allows consumers to better remember the information, retaining it and recalling it when needed.

However, it is important to note that different individual has different ways that work best for them for remembering things. Sony could also provide a summary of the points that they have presented into systematic steps and procedures so that the users are able to rehearse the steps once again in the menu. This is called maintenance rehearsal where the individuals learn by simple, rote repetition. By being able to practise repeatedly, it is easier for the users to understand the working of the VCR and at the same time remember the working of the VCR. Maintenance rehearsal keeps information keeps information active in the working memory.

Beside focusing on the memory capabilities of their users, Sony should also take into account the learning systems of their users. A video showing the users systematic procedures on how to operate the VCR is useful as the users will be able to learn by modelling and imitation which are aspects of observational learning.

In the aspect of learning, Sony should serve to achieve fast learning and high resistance to extinction in their users by reinforcing a desired behaviour on a continuous schedule until the behaviour is well established and then shift to a partial schedule.

In conclusion, Sony should take into considerations the learning process and memory capabilities of their users in order to ensure that their users are able to fully understand the operation instructions of the VCR.