Papers by Michael Wogalter
Age-related changes in selective attention, inhibitory efficiency, and the ability to form new as... more Age-related changes in selective attention, inhibitory efficiency, and the ability to form new associations suggest that older adults may have greater difficulty with more complex and less comprehensible symbols. We examined comprehension of symbols varying in terms of ratings of familiarity, complexity, and comprehensibility, by younger (aged 18– 35) and older (aged 55–70) adults. It was found that older adults have greater difficulty than younger adults in comprehending warning symbols and that accident scenario training improves comprehension. Regression analyses indicated that familiarity and comprehensibility were important in determining performance on the pre-training comprehension test by both younger and older adults. However, training eliminated the effects of stimulus characteristics for younger adults, while older adults' comprehension continued to be significantly influenced by comprehensibility. We suggest that symbol design incorporates cues to knowledge to facili...
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 2002
Road rage (intentional high risk driving behavior) is a factor that increases the likelihood that... more Road rage (intentional high risk driving behavior) is a factor that increases the likelihood that a driver will be involved in a vehicle crash. The focus of this study was to determine potential antecedents of road rage and methods to prevent road rage. A sample of 372 participants were surveyed. Based upon responses, participant profiles were established to analyze the data. Analyses using Chi-square and Fisher's Exact test revealed a significant negative relationship between age and the tendency toward aggressive driving, particularly tailgating. in addition, content analysis revealed a number of potential antecedents of and solutions to road rage. Human factors implications are discussed.
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 1998
This work examines the terms most frequently used to describe our field, which has variously been... more This work examines the terms most frequently used to describe our field, which has variously been named Ergonomics, Human Factors, Human Factors Engineering, and Engineering Psychology. A large number of definitions were collected, including those assembled in an earlier technical report by Licht, Polzella, and Boff (1990). First, the definitions were stripped of connector words. Second, the prefix root terms that had the same meaning were combined and third, the words were tabulated and sorted to reveal the content terms most frequently employed. These data may be used to develop core, concise definitions or longer more expository descriptions of the field. The list of terms could also be used as a starting point for the development of definitions oriented for different target audiences (e.g., lay persons vs. other engineering/science experts) as a method of disseminating information concerning what we do.
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 1996
The present research examines: (a) the accuracy of three face description methods, and (b) the ef... more The present research examines: (a) the accuracy of three face description methods, and (b) the effects of post-exposure description and imaging activities on subsequent face recognition performance. Participants viewed a sequence of six target photographs, and after each, performed one of three description tasks: generated their own set of descriptors, checked-off descriptors from a pre-existing list, or rated the same set of descriptors on bipolar scales. Other participants performed a distractor (control) activity. Additionally, participants were either told or not told to image the targets while they simultaneously performed the description tasks. Results showed that the checklist task lowered subsequent recognition performance compared to the generate task. Imaging with the generate task facilitated recognition, but imaging with the checklist and rating tasks degraded recognition. The generate task produced the highest quality descriptions as determined by other participants'...
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 2001
The explosion of the Internet – and the World Wide Web (WWW) in particular – has led to the distr... more The explosion of the Internet – and the World Wide Web (WWW) in particular – has led to the distribution of information to a much more diverse and unspecified audience. Human factors professionals have a stake in the design of these Internet-based tools and the delivery of information over them. An initial survey distributed to a large diverse population asked respondents to provide positive and negative aspects about the WWW and related Internet communication technologies. The responses (n = 380) were grouped according to general positive and negative categories. Most of the categories paralleled each other on the negative and positive side. Access to information and security dominated both the positive and negative. A second survey had respondents rate 26 positive and negative items based on aspects identified in the first survey. The responses (n = 219) supported the larger categories identified in the first survey and revealed differences in attitude towards the Internet based o...
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 2002
Advances in technology have allowed computers and peripherals to become more affordable and useab... more Advances in technology have allowed computers and peripherals to become more affordable and useable. Technology is also trickling down and being integrated into other consumer products such as those found in the home, such as alarm clocks. Two studies examined the desirability of various features that have or could be incorporated into alarm clocks. in Study 1, 378 people evaluated the importance of various features that have or could be incorporated into alarm clocks. They were also asked to report other features not listed. Study 2 was similar except a larger list of potential features was included. Both studies indicated that there are several features considered more important (e.g., digital face, independent buttons to set hours and minutes, low price) than others (e.g., traditional analog clock face, cassette player). Also, feature importance differed depending on gender and undergraduate/non-student groups. Factor analyses revealed that ergonomic aspects were being considered...
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 2002
In recent years consumers are taking more interest in their health care, including having interes... more In recent years consumers are taking more interest in their health care, including having interest in the prescription drugs they take. This research examined people's beliefs and perceptions about using nine sources of prescription drug information. The sources investigated were: (a) physician, (b) pharmacist, (c) family or friend, (d) manufacturer's web site, (e) second-party web sites, (f) medical reference book, (g) manufacturer's consumer phone number, (h) print ads, and (i) television ads. Two hundred thirteen persons were asked to make ratings of these sources according to (1) the likelihood that they would use each source, (2) perceived ease of use to obtain information from each source, and (3) how complete the information would be in providing prescription drug information. The results indicate that the pharmacist and physician sources were in general given significantly higher ratings across all of three dimensions than all the other sources. The two next high...
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 2002
The comprehension of 16 pictorial safety symbols was examined using a rapid visual exposure techn... more The comprehension of 16 pictorial safety symbols was examined using a rapid visual exposure technique and 4 types of prohibitive circle-slash variants (over, under, partial, and translucent). Performance was higher for base pictorial images that appeared to depict more concrete, less complex and familiar concepts. Symbols were better understood with the under and translucent slashes. This research has implications for the design of pictorial symbols on roadways and in other environments where exposure to safety information may be brief.
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 2001
This research was conducted to determine how risk information is presented within direct-to-consu... more This research was conducted to determine how risk information is presented within direct-to-consumer (DTC) drug advertisements on the World Wide Web (WWW). Twenty prescription drug manufacturers' web sites were examined with respect to risk and benefit information placement. Measured were (a) the number of clicks required to view the benefit and risk information from the home page, (b) the number of clicks to the risk information from the benefit information, (c) the number of clicks to the benefit information from the risk information, (d) and whether scrolling was required to view both benefit and risk information. Also measured were whether the benefit and risk information was on the same page and whether a separate file reader was needed to view the risk information. Results indicated that the risk information is more difficult to find on DTC prescription medication web site advertisements compared to benefits. More clicks from the home page were required to find the risk in...
Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Communication, 2017
Warnings are risk communication messages that can appear in a variety of situations within the he... more Warnings are risk communication messages that can appear in a variety of situations within the healthcare context. Potential target audiences for warnings can be very diverse and may include health professionals such as physicians or nurses as well as members of the public. In general, warnings serve three distinct purposes. First, warnings are used to improve health and safety by reducing the likelihood of events that might result in personal injury, disease, death, or property damage. Second, they are used to communicate important safety-related information. In general, warnings likely to be effective should include a description of the hazard, instructions on how to avoid the hazard, and an indication of the severity of consequences that might occur as a result of not complying with the warning. Third, warnings are used to promote safe behavior and reduce unsafe behavior. Various regulatory agencies within the United States and around the globe may take an active role in determin...
Proceedings of the Human Factors Society Annual Meeting, 1989
This study attempted to determine if training and familiarization with a face composite system wo... more This study attempted to determine if training and familiarization with a face composite system would improve the quality of the produced composites. Subjects were trained in the use of the Mac-a-Mug Pro system over two sessions during which they constructed eleven composites (six from memory and five with the face in view). The results indicate that the composites produced while the target face was in view were significantly better than the composites produced from memory, and that both improved with practice. Initial training with the composite system prior to exposure to the first face or after the first face did not affect composite quality. These results have implications for the training of personnel at high risk of witnessing a crime.
Proceedings of the Human Factors Society Annual Meeting, 1991
After viewing a crime, witnesses are frequently asked by police investigators to give a verbal de... more After viewing a crime, witnesses are frequently asked by police investigators to give a verbal description of 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 whether performance on a later recognition test is influenced by an earlier verbal description test of the target. Participants viewed six target faces, and after each, performed one of four post-exposure activities. Two were verbal description tasks. The descriptor checklist task had participants indicate, using a list of potential adjectives, those descriptors that best described the most recently seen face. The descriptor generate task had participants recall descriptors that best described the most recently seen face. Both description tasks were accomplished using a questionnaire that was identical except for the presence or absence of specific adjectives. Other participants were instructed to image the targe...
Advances in Human Factors and Ergonomics Series, 2010
PsycEXTRA Dataset
Motor vehicle crashes involving pedestrians result in 1.8 deaths per 100,000 population annually ... more Motor vehicle crashes involving pedestrians result in 1.8 deaths per 100,000 population annually in the U.S. Most of these fatalities are attributed to pedestrians not being seen in time for the driver to avoid a collision, particularly under poor visibility conditions. Previous research shows that reflective clothing worn at night can substantially increase pedestrians' visual conspicuity to drivers. The purpose of the present research was to examine people's desire for reflective trim on their clothing. Findings of strong desirability for reflective trim could prompt its incorporation into garments available to the public, and thus, potentially decrease pedestrian-related motor vehicle accidents. The present study measured the extent to which people are willing to pay extra or less for clothing with reflective material compared to the same items without reflective material. People reported they are willing to pay more for reflective material on sports-related, children's and inclement-weather clothing. Implications for safety and future research are discussed.
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 2001
Technology has enabled the mass production of hybrid and electric vehicles. Interest in these alt... more Technology has enabled the mass production of hybrid and electric vehicles. Interest in these alternative-energy vehicles has been heightened due to air quality concerns in urban areas. However, these vehicles are capable of very quiet operation, which could have negative side effects on pedestrian and driver safety because of the lack of sound cues. A survey of 380 people was conducted to explore interest and concerns about electrically powered vehicles. The data show that there is substantial positive interest in driving quiet hybrid and electric cars. However, in the role of pedestrian, participants expressed concern over the reduced auditory cues to the presence of a moving vehicle. Implications of quiet vehicles are discussed including the additional consideration of reduced driver awareness of their speed. Precautionary measures and suggestions for effective engine noise substitutes are presented.
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 2014
A set of cases concerning child injury is described in which there are several human factors/ergo... more A set of cases concerning child injury is described in which there are several human factors/ergonomics (HFE) issues. Each panelist describes an injury or death of a child with a brief overview of the events that occurred. Major HFE issues are presented and discussed using the framework of the hazard-control hierarchy of designing out, guarding against, and warning about hazards. Consideration is not only given to children but also caretakers in the design of useable and safe products. A secondary purpose of the panel is to discuss interest in forming a special interest or technical group on children’s HFE issues.
PsycEXTRA Dataset
There are a number of factors to consider when developing new parking lots and modifying existing... more There are a number of factors to consider when developing new parking lots and modifying existing structures. The present research reports the results of two studies designed to assess perceived problems of parking facilities. In the first study, 319 participants were asked to generate a set of parking facility-related problems from their life experience. These were categorized into different problem categories. The second had participants rate the 30 problem categories. Five main factors were identified: (a) Compliance and Visibility, (b) Layout and Design, (c) Safety and Crowding, (d) Difficulties at Access Points and Environment, and (e) Aesthetics. Aspects of each of these factors have implications for improving parking facilities.
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Papers by Michael Wogalter