TYPIST: A Theory of Performance in Skilled Typing

Abstract

TYPIST is a Theory of Performance In Skilled Typing built within the framework of the Model Human Processor (MHP; Card, Moran, & Newell, 1983). As such, it can be used to make quantitative predictions of performance on typing tasks and can be integrated with other MHP-based models of performance. In this article, I present the theory and explain the source of each theoretical assumption (MHP, typing task analysis, or empirical typing data). I then demonstrate different ways to use TYPIST by applying it to six transcription typing tasks. Finally, I summarize its application to many more typing tasks that display robust behavioral phenomena identified by Salthouse (1986).