Studies in Tactical Symbology. II. Symbol Meaningfulness and Learning Efficiency.

Abstract : A symbol association study was conducted to select from among three symbol sets a 'best' set to convey tactical order-of-battle information on a CRT display to a pilot of a single-seat fighter aircraft. The three symbol sets were: (1) a set recommended by a panel of Air Force experts (SSC), (2) a set of pictorial symbols resembling the objects they were to represent, and (3) a set of geometric symbols with alphanumeric modifiers. The latter two symbol sets were composites based on symbols constructed by Air Force tactical pilots in an earlier experiment. The criteria used to select the 'best' symbols were: (1) fewest trials and least time to learn; (2) fastest recognition time for meaning; and (3) ease of display, i.e., fewest number of lines to generate the symbol. Each symbol set was viewed by ten separate college students with some military experience. After each symbol was presented, the subject picked its meaning from a list on a graphic display device driven by an IBM 370/155 computer which controlled the symbol presentation and calculated learning scores, i.e., recall times, trials to learn, etc. On the basis of the first two criteria, symbols from the pictorial set were selected for aircraft and naval vessels and objects/events pertaining to them. The remainder of the symbols were selected on the basis of ease of display and originated about equally from all sets. (Author)