Verbal versus pictorial representations of objects in a human-computer interface

摘要: Abstract Computer systems often use icons to represent objects of interest within the system. In this study we tested four hypotheses concerning relative effectiveness icon construction: (1) Pictorial would be rated as more meaningful than verbal for concrete objects. (2) Ratings meaningfulness dependent upon qualities such long versus short abbreviations, and industry standard enhanced pictogram. (3) experience with content domains. (4) Icons composed both pictorial elements or only. Hypotheses were developed from literature on text formatting, command names, human memory functionality, population stereotypes, brain lateralization. Two experiments conducted. The first involved found in a building automation system (BAS) environment which by 187 operators. second experiment BAS, engineering, computer finance environments 139 undergraduates varying those Results overall showed that: Mixed modality distinctively alternatives. occasionally bolstered stereotypes acquired through experience. Long abbreviations are preferable ones. It is possible construct pictograms that standards, (5) sometimes preferred over when mixed modes not available.