No. #74

The Magical Number Seven, Plus or Minus Two
- Limit on Information Processing

This principle refers to the idea that the number of objects an average human can hold in working memory is about seven, plus or minus two. This affects user interface design and information presentation, ensuring that options and information are not overwhelming.

Read more on Wikipedia

Product example

Designing a menu with too many options can overload users, making it difficult to make a decision.

Empathy tips

1

Simplify Choices

Limit the number of choices presented at any one time to avoid overwhelming users.

2

Chunk Information

Organize information into chunks to make it easier to process.

3

Iterative User Testing

Conduct iterative user testing to find the optimal amount of information or options to present.

4

Feedback Loops

Use feedback loops to adjust the complexity of information presentation based on user feedback.

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