Correlation modelling of reaction time for two- and three-dimensional stimulus–response arrangements

Research on the effects of the spatial correlation between signal and response key has shown a clear relationship between signal/response spatial correlation and reaction time (RT) for signals and response keys that are in a linear relationship (Morin and Grant 1955; Hoffmann 2010). By means of a reanalysis of previous data of Chan and Chan (2009a, 2009b, 2011a, 2011b, 2010), the equivalent relationships for two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) display/control relationships are established. In a 2D array of signals with a corresponding 2D array of response keys, RT is dependent on spatial correlation, with arrangements having transverse compatibility reacting faster than those with longitudinal compatibility. 3D arrangements show a similar effect, with up/down compatibility being a major factor in determination of RT and with similar effects of transverse compatibility. The results indicate the best arrangements of signal/key arrangements where complex designs are necessary. Practitioner Summary: Design of complex display/control arrangements requires high compatibility in order to minimise reaction times. This work extends previous research to cases where displays and controls are in two-dimensional and three-dimensional arrangements, and indicates how reaction time is affected by these more complex arrangements.

[1]  J L Seminara,et al.  Remedial human factors engineering - part 1. , 1983, Applied ergonomics.

[2]  Ken W. L. Chan,et al.  Three-dimensional spatial stimulus-response (S-R) compatibility for visual signals with hand and foot controls. , 2010, Applied ergonomics.

[3]  Jean-Xavier Mazoit.  In response , 2012 .

[4]  J. R. Simon.  Choice reaction time as a function of auditory S-R correspondence, age and sex. , 1967, Ergonomics.

[5]  Alan H. S. Chan,et al.  Spatial Stimulus-response (S-R) Compatibility Effect for Hand Controls with Visual Signals on Horizontal Plane , 2009 .

[6]  J L Seminara,et al.  Remedial human factors engineering (Part 2). , 1984, Applied ergonomics.

[7]  R. Proctor,et al.  Naïve and experienced judgments of stimuluS—Response compatibility: implications for interface design , 2003, Ergonomics.

[8]  David F. Pick,et al.  Vertical versus horizontal spatial compatibility: Right-left prevalence with bimanual responses , 2000, Psychological research.

[9]  Elisabetta Làdavas,et al.  Some aspects of spatial stimulus-response compatibility in adults and normal children , 1990 .

[10]  Sidney L. Smith.  Exploring Compatibility with Words and Pictures , 1981 .

[11]  C. Umilta,et al.  Right-left prevalence in spatial compatibility , 1984, Perception & psychophysics.

[12]  Stephen J. Payne,et al.  Naive Judgments of Stimulus-Response Compatibility , 1995, Hum. Factors.

[13]  R W Proctor,et al.  Determinants of right-left and top-bottom prevalence for two-dimensional spatial compatibility. , 2001, Journal of experimental psychology. Human perception and performance.

[14]  F. McKenna,et al.  Hierarchical Knowledge Influences Stimulus-Response Compatibility Effects , 2000, The Quarterly journal of experimental psychology. A, Human experimental psychology.

[15]  Alan H S Chan,et al.  Spatial stimulus response compatibility for a horizontal visual display with hand and foot controls , 2011, Ergonomics.

[16]  D. A. Grant,et al.  Learning and performance on a key-pressing task as function of the degree of spatial stimulus-response correspondence. , 1955, Journal of experimental psychology.

[17]  Errol R Hoffmann,et al.  Naïve judgements of stimulus–response compatibility , 2010, Ergonomics.

[18]  Alan H. S. Chan,et al.  Spatial stimulus-response compatibility for hand and foot controls with vertical plane visual signals , 2011, Displays.

[19]  Peter Schroeder-Heister,et al.  Spatial Coding and Spatio-Anatomical Mapping: Evidence for a Hierarchical Model of Spatial Stimulus-Response Compatibility , 1990 .

[20]  Alan H. S. Chan,et al.  Spatial stimulus–response (S-R) compatibility for foot controls with visual displays , 2009 .