The Limits of Multiple Resource Theory in Display Formatting: Effects of Task Integration

Abstract

Multiple Resource Theory proposes that multi-variable displays will be better processed when information is presented in several different display formats (i.e., verbal, spatial, visual, auditory). We argue here that this superiority of separate formats does not hold if the displayed elements are correlated or must be integrated into a single mental model. We report two experiments that confirm this hypothesis: In experiment 1, subjects monitor two numerical displays. If the Task calls for separate independent decisions concerning the value of each display, performance is best when one is spatial (analog) and the other verbal. If the task calls for integration of both displays into a common decision rule, performance is best when homogeneous display formats are used. In experiment 2 subjects monitor the display of several dynamic elements that compose a dynamic system. Performance is found to be better if these correlated elements are integrated into a configural 'object' display, than if they are displayed as separate bargraphs.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1984
Accession Number
ADP003321

Entities

People

  • C. D. Wickens
  • D. Boles
  • M. Carswell
  • P. Tsang

Organizations

  • University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Additives (Chemicals)
  • Air Traffic
  • Air Traffic Controllers
  • Boundaries
  • Damage Detection
  • Department Of Defense
  • Detection
  • Display Systems
  • Dynamics
  • Engineering
  • Human Factors Engineering
  • Military Research
  • Motor Skills
  • Nuclear Power Plants
  • Psychology
  • Universities
  • Visual Signals

Readers

  • Human-Computer Interaction (HCI).
  • Team-Based Human-Centered Cognitive Task Decision Making and Information Performance.