Gain and Angle of Approach Effects on Cursor-Positioning Time with a Mouse in Consideration of Fitts' Law

Abstract

Over the past decade, indirect pointing with a mouse has become a fundamental part of the GUI environment. In that regard research has used Fitts' law to measure speed and accuracy of the human-motor system when using input devices. Other studies have found that angle of approach also affects performance. However, most such analyses have not considered control-display gain as a factor. The present study found that gain interacted with angle of approach, amplitude, and target size on movement time. Fitts' law remained an effective predictor of movement time across all conditions; however, less variance was accounted for in the higher control-display gain conditions. Based on these results, recommendations are given for GUI design.