Comparative accuracy of recognizing American and international road signs.

Abstract

This study investigated the hypothesis that symbol road signs (similar to the international signs) could be more accurately recognized than word road signs (typical of the American signs). The Ss used were 81 college undergraduates. The hypothesis was significantly supported under 2 conditions. Under 1 condition, both the symbols and signs were black; in the other, the symbols were black and red. A further phase of the study demonstrated the ease with which the symbol signs were learned A simple memory test conducted 24 hrs. after the learning indicated perfect recall of the symbol signs and their meaning. The potential significance of the results and research possibilities were discussed.

Measuring icon complexity: An automated analysis

“…Pellegrino, Rosinski, Chiesi, and Siegel (1977) reported that when two objects belong to the same category, pictures depicting them are processed faster than words. Information is also conveyed more directly through the use of images; pictorial road signs are understood easily and accurately and are learned more easily than word signs (Walker, Nicolay, & Stearns, 1965). There is also strong evidence that symbols and icons are more easily identified and better remembered.…”

Use of hazard pictorials symbols in the minerals industry

“…One of the most common methods is simply to ask people to write down a brief definition of the meaning of a sign (Brainard et al, 1961;Walker et al, 1965;Cahill, 1975;Easterby and Zwaga, 1976;Collins and Lerner, 1982). In addition to indicating the understandability of the symbol, wrong answers from the definition procedure provide insight into the kinds of confusions and misunderstanding associated with a particular symbol.…”

Chinese Web Browser Design Utilising Cultural Icons

“…For example, Walker et al [4] stated that symbols and signs are more easily interpreted and learned, because of their greater perceptual simplicity. Rogers and Osborne [5] found that people tend to crystallise abstract concepts in terms of concrete symbols that can be visually represented.…”