Tactile Cues: Taction Characteristics, Salience, Ease of Learning, and Recall

Previous research investigated the conceptualization of tactile salience and core variables mediating effects on human perception and learning. This definition provides an integrated and systematic approach to assess effectiveness of tactile displays. We report an initial series of comparative tests of various multitactor cues, or tactions, using independent scaled ratings. Tactions were developed to vary along two dimensions 1 complexity of tactor cue stimulus and 2 sequencing simultaneous and repetitive versus sequential cuing across multiple tactors. Results from the first experiment served to refine methodology and measures in the second experiment. Results suggest that standard repetitive tactions were perceived as more salient and more easily learned. Comparison of morning versus afternoon performance showed significant decline in performance for more dynamic tactions and an interaction effect, such that standarddynamic tactions were most negatively affected by time. Comparison of stationary and balance beam conditions also showed that standarddynamic tactions were significantly lower in the movement condition. Further study will investigate these concepts with additional tasks and recall over a longer period of time.