Web Design | 24th July 2019 By

What is Miller’s Law?

What is Miller’s Law? – The Psychology of Design (Part 3/7)

The Core of Miller’s Law

Miller’s Law posits that the average person can hold approximately 7 (± 2) items in their working memory at any given time.

A Glimpse into History

In 1956, psychologist George Miller conducted groundbreaking research that identified the limits of human information processing. His findings? Most people can store around 7 items, give or take 2, in their short-term memory.

The Power of Chunking

For those of us in the design field, Miller’s Law offers a valuable lesson: the technique of “chunking.” By organizing content into smaller, more digestible groups, we make it easier for users to process and retain information. This is especially crucial for first-time users who haven’t yet committed the information to long-term memory.

Example: 

Example of What is Miller’s Law?

Practical Implications in Design

Miller’s Law isn’t just theoretical; it has real-world applications. As you add more features to a product, your interface must adapt without compromising its visual integrity. Redesigning from the ground up is not only time-consuming but also resource-intensive.

Psychology of Design:
What is Hick’s Law? (2/7)
What is Miller’s Law? (3/7)
What is Jakob’s Law? (4/7)
What is the “Serial-position effect”? (5/7)
What is the Zeigarnik Effect? (6/7)
What is the Halo effect? (7/7)