A Comparison of Symbols for Preferred Behaviors

Abstract

The number of persons traveling to and working in locations where their native language is not used has increased significantly. Thus, communication via symbols has become important for many reasons, including safety. Previous research has shown that a symbol indicating that something is to be done may significantly increase understanding of symbols indicating behavior to be avoided (Leonard, 2000). The symbol indicating that an activity was permitted or to be done was the enclosure of the symbol for the activity in a pentagon. One of the present studies expanded on this result by examining the ability of individuals to learn the meaning of the symbol from a small number of presentations. The second study compared the usefulness of the pentagon symbol with another approach to presenting to do information. The pentagon was superior in drawing attention to the behavior to be performed, especially when no negative symbol was involved. Taken together the two studies provide further support for the usefulness of the pentagon symbol as an indicator of the acceptability or need to perform an activity.