When interpreting the meanings of visual features in information visualizations, observers have expectations about how visual features map onto concepts ("inferred mappings"). In this study, we examined whether aspects of inferred mappings that have been previously identified for colormap data visualizations generalize to a different…

Purpose: Aided augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) displays are often designed as symmetrical row--column grids, with each square in the grid containing a symbol. To maximize vocabulary on displays, symbols are often placed close to one another, and background color cuing is used to signal/differentiate symbols across different…

When too much visual stimuli is present, the phenomenon of clutter is known to degrade an individual's perception across a variety of domains, ranging from completing search tasks incorrectly, to decreasing reading speed when letters are too close together. However, research is lacking as to whether the negative effects of clutter impact learning…

Searching simultaneously for metal threats (guns and knives) and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in X-ray images is less effective than 2 independent single-target searches, 1 for metal threats and 1 for IEDs. The goals of this study were to (a) replicate this dual-target cost for categorical targets and to determine whether the cost remains…

Purpose: Communication about feelings is a core element of human interaction. Aided augmentative and alternative communication systems must therefore include symbols representing these concepts. The symbols must be readily distinguishable in order for users to communicate effectively. However, emotions are represented within most systems by…

In this study we report on issues related to the use of color as a third dimension on graphical representations provided to students. We find that a majority of the students sampled have a preconceived color map regarding temperature, with blue indicating low temperatures and red indicating high temperatures. Attempts to transfer this particular…

A discussion of the effect of background color on the legibility of projected printed messages on transparencies. (Author)

Four specially-prepared maps were used in this investigation to discover factors that make maps interesting and readable for children. (JH)

This study explored the effect of grade level and sex on affective ratings of color and black-and-white pictures by having 148 students from grades 4, 7, and 12 rate color and black-and-white slides on nine semantic differential scales. (JEG)

A study examined the expectation that videotaped male models would be rated similarly to ratings previously found in research literature for red, blue, and monotone hues, and high, medium, and low levels of color saturation. Using a Graeco-Latin Square design, the ratings of 147 subjects (communications students at the University of Utah) were…

Four experiments are reported exploring whether distractor pictures activate their phonological properties in the course of speech production. In Experiment 1, participants were presented with two pictures and were asked to name one while ignoring the other. Distractor pictures were phonologically related, semantically related or unrelated to the…

Examined the effect of different levels of color and black/gray/white in visuals to facilitate student achievement of facts, concepts, and generalizations. Participants were 244 high school students in Puerto Rico. Results indicated a significant Intelligence-Quotient and learning-style effect on dependent measures and the color-coding effect…

This study investigated the effects of color cues as well as the absence of such cues on the recognition of visual images using as subjects 28 college students in a basic communications course. The stimulus materials were slides in three categories: (1) original color (realistic), (2) black and white, and (3) non-realistic color format. Subjects…

This paper reports on a study which was conducted to determine the impact of color on learning. The entire seventh-grade class from a Midwest junior high school was used in the study. Each student was randomly assigned into one of four treatment groups: (1) color-cued presentation, color-cued assessment; (2) color-cued presentation, black/white…

This presentation describes the student retention program designed at El Camino Community College (ECC) (California) with a soSHOWme grant. SoSHOWme is the title of a $20,000 Funds for Instructional Improvement grant awarded by the California State Chancellor's Office to measure the improvement of student retention of lecture information that has…