The Positioning of Type on Maps: The Effect of Surrounding Material on Word Recognition Time

Two visual search experiments, one of which measured eye movements, show that material close to words on a map-like display has a proximity effect which prolongs the word recognition time. This effect is particularly pronounced if the material is a) very close to the first letter of the word, and b) of a similar size to the word, or component letters. Possible causes of the effect are discussed and the practical application for maps and other displays considered.

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