Habituation,Dishabituation,and Recovery Effects in Visual Warnings

Abstract

Decrement of visual attention to repeatedly exposed warning labels and signs has been discussed in the warning literature without much empirical research support. The present research examined whether habituation, dishabituation, and recovery of habituation occur to visually presented warnings. Participants (N=72) were presented to a long sequence of repeated visual warnings (40 warnings presented 8 times = 320 initial trials) in a particular format (ANSI or OSHA type formats), followed by 5 warnings manipulated either in the same or different format. Five more warnings in same format as in the initial trials were presented to end the sequence. Measured were participants' ratings of perceived alertness to each warning. Findings showed a decrease in ratings from beginning to end of the initial 320 trials, indicative of habituation. Dishabituation was observed with higher ratings when the warning format changed. Evidence of habituation recovery of lowered ratings was observed upon return to the previously habituated (initial trials) format after a set of different formatted warnings. Implications for formalized standards and guidelines, which recommend an unchanging, relatively constant format, are discussed.

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