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Abstract: a r t i c l e i n f o Article history: Received 20 October 2014 Received in revised form 27 May 2015 Accepted 23 July 2015 Available online 11 August 2015

Abstract: After viewinga crime, witnessesare frequentlyaskedby police investigatorsto give a verbaldescriptionof the perpetrator. At a later time, witnesses may be asked to try to recognize the perpetrator in a lineup or a mugfile. The purpose of this research was to determine whetherperformanceon a later recognitiontest is influencedby an earlier verbal descriptiontest of the targeL Participantsviewedsix targetfaces,…

Abstract: Wogalter Michael Seth

Abstract: There is limited research on the effects of the presence and the types of border surrounding warning text The present snidy tested 51 borders formed by combining different characteristics of color, design, and width. Seventy-two participants rated these borders on one of 'three dimensions: (1) attention- gettingness, (2) likelihood to read the warning, and (3)…

Abstract: The purpose of this experiment was to examine the effects of warning quality and human factors expert testimony on decision making in consumer product injury cases. Participants read summaries of consumer product accidents, where a no, poor or good warning was present. In two conditions, human factors (HP) expert testimony was included, giving an opinion…

Abstract: This experiment investigated the influence of wal11ingsignal words and a signal icon on perceptions of hazard for consumerproducts. Under tlle pretext of a marketing research study,90 high school and college students rated product labels on variables such as product familiarity, frequency of use, and perceived hazard. Sixteen labels from actual household products were used and…

Abstract: Four experiments explored the effects of warnings on people's allocation of responsibility for product safety. Participants read descriptions of accident scenarios in which injuries occurred during the use of products. They then allocated responsibility to the manufacturer, retailer, or consumer (user). Results of two experiments indicated more responsibility was assigned to the consumer and less…

Abstract: Michael S. Wogalter Department of Psychology North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC 27695-7801 Consumers' knowledge about electrical facts and hazards in the home was examined to determine whether their understanding of certain aspects of electricity are complete and accurate. Eighty-two college students (who are better educated that most of the population) were surveyed. Results indicated…

Abstract: Michael S. Wogalter Department of Psychology North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC 27695 This study examined allocations of blamefor injuries sustained from the consumption of a product with a non-obvious hazard. Participants weregiven product-use scenarios that described a girl whose age was manipulated to be from 18 months to 16 years and who suffered serious…

Abstract: James A. Scoggins Department of Psychology Nonh Carolina State University Raleigh, NC 27695-7801 Because of their relatively universal information transmission potential, pictorials have been suggested as a common means of safety communications across heterogeneous groups of users and uses. The present study used a training paradigm designed to enhance comprehension and retention of pharmaceutical and…

Abstract: The most common information source for over-the-counter (OTC) phannaceuticals is the container label Most OTC labels contain so much text that the print must be substantially reduced in size to fit the available surface area. As a consequence, people with vision problems, such as the elderly, have difficulty reading the print. Some OTC drugs are…

Abstract: Shari Pucci Department of Psychology Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy, NY 12180-3590 Bernadette M. Racicot Department of Psychology Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy, NY 12180-3590 The appropriate use of pharmaceuticals, as well as their hazards, are not commonly known to most people. In fact, the only information available to consumers is usually the material found on the…

Abstract: A relatively new area of human factors/ergonomics practice focuses on designing for children. The objective of this panel is to discuss ‘forward directions’ for human factors professionals currently designing for children or desiring to begin working with design of environments, goods, and procedures for children. Each panelist is an expert in an aspect of design…

Abstract: Two experiments evaluated pictorial symbols intended to warn consumers of a child chokinghazard. In Ex- periment 1, participants used the Zwaga (1989) comprehension estimation procedure to estimate the per- centage of the U.S. population they felt would understand the intended meaning of IS symbols designed to depict a choking hazard. For the symbol with the…

Abstract: This research examined the effects of a multi-modal warning sign on compliance behavior. Participants followcd a sct of printed instructions to perform a chemistry task that involved measuring and mixing disguised (nonhazardous) chemicals. Whether participants wore protective equipment as directed by the warning was measured. The environment around the sign was either visually clullered or…

Abstract: Published research comparing different types of format in product manuals using perfonnance measures is limited. As the availability of information mushrooms. the ways to best relay information to users has become increasingly important. Documentation designed to minimize search time while maximizing knowledge acquisition could benefit users. The present study examined the effect of two types…