Dimensions of visual information displays

Abstract

Exposed 12 air-defense-oriented visual information displays, representing all combinations of 3 densities of air threat, 2 different primary display formats, and 2 conditions of information coding, to 3 groups to determine the nature and structure of the display-observer interface. Ss were 17 air force reserve officers, and 15 experienced and 21 naive male undergraduates. Ss possessed different degrees of familiarity with the displays and the tactical concepts involved in their use. Independent multidimensional scaling analyses revealed 7 dimensions. The patterns of factor loadings suggest interpretation in terms of: (a) stimulus numerosity, (b) primary coding, (c) contextual discrimination, (d) structure scanning, (e) critical relationships, (f) cue integration, and (g) cognitive processing. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)