W. E. Hick
Encyclopedia
William Edmund Hick was a British
psychologist
, who was a pioneer in the new sciences of experimental psychology
and ergonomics
in the mid-20th century.
Hick trained as a doctor, taking the MB and BS degrees of the University of Durham in 1938, and the MD
of the same University in 1949. He joined the Royal Army Medical Corps
in 1941, leaving in 1944 when he moved to Cambridge
to join the MRC
's Applied Psychology Unit
at the Cambridge Psychological Laboratory.
He was appointed Reader
by the University of Cambridge in 1953, and was also a Fellow
of St. John's College.
He was a founding member of the Experimental Psychology Group and served as its President in 1958, when it became the Experimental Psychology Society
. He was also a founder member of the Ergonomics Society
and a member of the Ratio Club
.
Probably his most famous contribution to experimental psychology
was his paper "On the rate of gain of information" (Hick, 1952), which later became known as Hick's law
, and widely depended upon in the study of human information processing, for instance using the Jensen Box
.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
psychologist
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
, who was a pioneer in the new sciences of experimental psychology
Experimental psychology
Experimental psychology is a methodological approach, rather than a subject, and encompasses varied fields within psychology. Experimental psychologists have traditionally conducted research, published articles, and taught classes on neuroscience, developmental psychology, sensation, perception,...
and ergonomics
Ergonomics
Ergonomics is the study of designing equipment and devices that fit the human body, its movements, and its cognitive abilities.The International Ergonomics Association defines ergonomics as follows:...
in the mid-20th century.
Hick trained as a doctor, taking the MB and BS degrees of the University of Durham in 1938, and the MD
Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine is a doctoral degree for physicians. The degree is granted by medical schools...
of the same University in 1949. He joined the Royal Army Medical Corps
Royal Army Medical Corps
The Royal Army Medical Corps is a specialist corps in the British Army which provides medical services to all British Army personnel and their families in war and in peace...
in 1941, leaving in 1944 when he moved to Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
to join the MRC
Medical Research Council (UK)
The Medical Research Council is a publicly-funded agency responsible for co-ordinating and funding medical research in the United Kingdom. It is one of seven Research Councils in the UK and is answerable to, although politically independent from, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills...
's Applied Psychology Unit
Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit
The ' is a branch of the UK Medical Research Council, based in Cambridge, England. The CBSU is a world-leading centre for cognitive neuroscience, with a mission to improve human health by understanding and enhancing cognition and behaviour in health, disease and disorder...
at the Cambridge Psychological Laboratory.
He was appointed Reader
Reader (academic rank)
The title of Reader in the United Kingdom and some universities in the Commonwealth nations like Australia and New Zealand denotes an appointment for a senior academic with a distinguished international reputation in research or scholarship...
by the University of Cambridge in 1953, and was also a Fellow
Fellow
A fellow in the broadest sense is someone who is an equal or a comrade. The term fellow is also used to describe a person, particularly by those in the upper social classes. It is most often used in an academic context: a fellow is often part of an elite group of learned people who are awarded...
of St. John's College.
He was a founding member of the Experimental Psychology Group and served as its President in 1958, when it became the Experimental Psychology Society
Experimental Psychology Society
The Experimental Psychology Society is an academic society which facilitates research into experimental psychology and communication between experimental psychologists. It is based in the United Kingdom....
. He was also a founder member of the Ergonomics Society
Ergonomics Society
The Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors is the UK-based professional society for ergonomists, human factors specialist and those involved in user-centred design....
and a member of the Ratio Club
Ratio Club
The Ratio Club was a small informal dining club of young psychologists, physiologists, mathematicians and engineers who met to discuss issues in cybernetics....
.
Probably his most famous contribution to experimental psychology
Experimental psychology
Experimental psychology is a methodological approach, rather than a subject, and encompasses varied fields within psychology. Experimental psychologists have traditionally conducted research, published articles, and taught classes on neuroscience, developmental psychology, sensation, perception,...
was his paper "On the rate of gain of information" (Hick, 1952), which later became known as Hick's law
Hick's law
Hick's Law, named after British psychologist William Edmund Hick, or the Hick–Hyman Law , describes the time it takes for a person to make a decision as a result of the possible choices he or she has. The Hick-Hyman Law assesses cognitive information capacity in choice reaction experiments...
, and widely depended upon in the study of human information processing, for instance using the Jensen Box
Jensen Box
The Jensen Box was developed by University of California, Berkeley psychologist Arthur Jensen as a standard apparatus for measuring choice reaction time, especially in relationship to differences in intelligence....
.