The Effect of Sequential Exposure of Color Conditions on Time and Accuracy of Graphic Symbol Location

Abstract

An important aspect in AAC concerns the user's ability to locate an aided visual symbol on a communication display in order to facilitate meaningful interaction with partners. Recent studies have suggested that the use of different colored symbols may be influential in the visual search process, and that this, in turn will influence the speed and accuracy of symbol location. This study examined the role of color on rate and accuracy of identifying symbols on an 8-location overlay through the use of 3 color conditions (same, mixed and unique). Sixty typically developing preschool children were exposed to two different sequential exposures (Set 1 and Set 2). Participants searched for a target stimulus (either meaningful symbols or arbitrary forms) in a stimuli array. Findings indicated that the sequential exposures (orderings) impacted both time and accuracy for both types of symbols within specific instances.

Keywords:

• Sequential exposure
• Color conditions
• Time
• Accuracy
• Graphic symbols
• Location

Acknowledgements

This article is partially based on a master's thesis completed by the second author under the supervision of the first and third authors. Our gratitude is hereby expressed to Rina Owen for her dedication in assisting us with the statistical analysis of this study. Krista Wilkinson's willingness to share with us the software program to investigate color conditions developed in their study is also gratefully acknowledged.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.