Human Performance Evaluation of Alternative Graphic Display Symbologies

Abstract

Nonmilitary subjects learned each of two types of foreground symbol sets (conventional symbols and iconic symbols) and were then shown a series of computer displays containing various symbol configurations. Each subject was required to search for specified foreground symbols under the conditions of high and low density of symbols, restricted and nonrestricted search, and pictorial versus nonpictorial target-symbol presentation. Iconic symbols yielded faster search times than conventional symbols under the condition of nonrestricted search and under the condition of nonpictorial target symbol presentation. These results suggest that iconic symbols are both easier to locate and easier to recall from memory. In addition, regardless of the type of symbology, high-density display increased search times. It was concluded that a system that incorporates both iconic symbols and selective call-up on foreground information would likely result in optimal human performance on search-related tasks.