TY - GEN
T1 - Comprehension of warning symbols by younger and older adults
T2 - 53rd Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting 2009, HFES 2009
AU - Shorr, Daniel J.
AU - Ezer, Neta
AU - Fisk, Arthur D.
AU - Rogers, Wendy A.
PY - 2009
Y1 - 2009
N2 - The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of visual degradation on warning symbol comprehension across warning symbol types and age groups. Twenty-seven black and white ANSI symbols of four different types (prohibition, course of action, information, and hazard symbols) were presented to older (N = 21, M = 73.1) and younger adults (N = 20, M = 21.4) via computer at three degradation levels (0%, 30%, 40% of pixels inverted); accuracy and response time in answering yes-no questions about the symbols were recorded. Younger adults were more accurate and faster overall than older adults (p < .01). Regarding degradation, 0% and 30% inverted symbols did not significantly differ in comprehension (p > .25), but both were comprehended better than 40% inverted symbols (p < .01); no interactions were observed. For degraded warning symbols, results suggest symbols must be substantially degraded to affect base comprehensibility, and age differences exist. These data have practical implications for warnings in environments susceptible to degradation.
AB - The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of visual degradation on warning symbol comprehension across warning symbol types and age groups. Twenty-seven black and white ANSI symbols of four different types (prohibition, course of action, information, and hazard symbols) were presented to older (N = 21, M = 73.1) and younger adults (N = 20, M = 21.4) via computer at three degradation levels (0%, 30%, 40% of pixels inverted); accuracy and response time in answering yes-no questions about the symbols were recorded. Younger adults were more accurate and faster overall than older adults (p < .01). Regarding degradation, 0% and 30% inverted symbols did not significantly differ in comprehension (p > .25), but both were comprehended better than 40% inverted symbols (p < .01); no interactions were observed. For degraded warning symbols, results suggest symbols must be substantially degraded to affect base comprehensibility, and age differences exist. These data have practical implications for warnings in environments susceptible to degradation.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=77951564928&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=77951564928&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1518/107118109x12524444080639
DO - 10.1518/107118109x12524444080639
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:77951564928
SN - 9781615676231
T3 - Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society
SP - 1598
EP - 1602
BT - 53rd Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting 2009, HFES 2009
PB - Human Factors an Ergonomics Society Inc.
Y2 - 19 October 2009 through 23 October 2009
ER -