The purpose of this research was to develop a performance-based criterion for selecting among alternative symbols to be used in graphic displays. The specific criterion developed was an index of perceptual discriminability. Through regression analyses of an intersymbol similarity-rating matrix, it was concluded that symbols are judged more or less similar on the basis of the number of shared versus unique configural attributes (an X, a triangle, etc.), as opposed to primitive attributes (number of lines, arcs, etc.). An easy-to-use discriminability-index formula was derived from the regression analysis involving the configural attributes, and this formula was used to predict the results of an experiment involving a search for specific symbols embedded in an array. Indices obtained from a formula such as the one developed here could be used as part of the basis for choosing among alternative candidate symbols for inclusion in an existing symbol domain.
, offered numerous valuable suggestions for designing the guided tour. The technical support of Dr. Craig Fields, ARPA/CTO Contract Monitor, is gratefully acknowledged and appreciated.
16 subjects learned each of two tactical display symbol sets (conventional symbols and iconic symbols) in turn and were then shown a series of graphic displays containing various symbol configurations. For each display, the subject was asked questions corresponding to different behavioral processes relating to symbol use (identification, search, comparison, pattern recognition). The results indicated that: (a) conventional symbols yielded faster pattern-recognition performance than iconic symbols, and iconic symbols did not yield faster identification than conventional symbols, and (b) the portrayal of additional feature information (through the use of perimeter density or vector projection coding) slowed processing of the core symbol information in four tasks, but certain symbol-design features created less perceptual interference and had greater correspondence with the portrayal of specific tactical concepts than others. The results were discussed in terms of the complexities involved in the selection of symbol design features for use in graphic tactical displays.
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