A1 Journal article (refereed)
Electrophysiological evidence for the effectiveness of images versus text in warnings (2023)

Lin, W., Li, Z., Zhang, X., Gao, Y., & Lin, J. (2023). Electrophysiological evidence for the effectiveness of images versus text in warnings. Scientific Reports, 13, Article 1278. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-28230-x

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Lin, Wuji; Li, Zhuoyu; Zhang, Xukai; Gao, Yuan; Lin, Jingyuan

Journal or series: Scientific Reports

eISSN: 2045-2322

Publication year: 2023

Publication date: 23/01/2023

Volume: 13

Article number: 1278

Publisher: Nature Publishing Group

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-28230-x

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/85672

Abstract

Warning sign plays an important role in risk avoidance. Many studies have found that images are better warnings than text, while others have revealed flaws of image-only warning signs. To better understand the factors underlying the effectiveness of different types of warning signs (image only, text only, or image and text), this study adopted event-related potential technology to explore the differences at the neurocognitive level using the oddball paradigm and the Go/No-go paradigm. Together, the behavioral and electroencephalogram results showed that text-only warnings had the lowest effectiveness, but there was little difference between the image-only and image-and-text warnings. The differences in the effects of the three warning signs were mainly in the areas of attention and cognitive control, implying differences in the underlying cognitive processes. Therefore, in the design of warning signs, the effects of different design attributes on cognitive processing should be taken into account based on actual needs in order to improve the effectiveness of the signs.

Keywords: attention; cognition; cognitive processes; electrophysiology; EEG; warning markings; texts; pictures; marks; cognitive neuroscience

Free keywords: electrophysiology; ERP; EEG; cognitive processes; attention; cognition; warnings; warning signs; texts; images; effectiveness

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2023

JUFO rating: 1