Final answer:
Human factors psychology, also known as ergonomics, is the study of optimizing the interaction between people, the tools they use, and their working environments.
Step-by-step explanation:
The study of how people use tools to perform work and how people physically relate to their working environment is known as human factors psychology or ergonomics. This field integrates knowledge from psychology and engineering to enhance the human-machine interface, focusing on designing tools, machines, and work environments that fit human physical and cognitive needs.
Pioneers like Lillian and Frank Gilbreth made significant contributions to this field by developing methods that not only improved productivity but also enhanced the fit between technology and its human users.
Human factors psychology is instrumental in ensuring that workplaces are designed for optimal human performance and safety, looking into the physical ergonomics of a desk setup or the cognitive ergonomics involved when interacting with complex systems like software interfaces.
This discipline is critical for understanding and improving the ways in which humans depend on, adapt to, and modify the physical tools and environments they work within.