The role of spatial abilities and age in performance in an auditory computer navigation task

Abstract

Age-related differences in spatial ability have been suggested as a mediator of age-related differences in computer-based task performance. However, the vast majority of tasks studied have primarily used a visual display (e.g., graphical user interfaces). In the current study, the relationship between spatial ability and performance in a non-visual computer-based navigation task was examined in a sample of 196 participants ranging in age from 18 to 91. Participants called into a simulated interactive voice response system and carried out a variety of transactions. They also completed measures of attention, working memory, and spatial abilities. The results showed that age-related differences in spatial ability predicted a significant amount of variance in performance in the non-visual computer task, even after controlling for other abilities. Understanding the abilities that influence performance with technology may provide insight into the source of age-related performance differences in the successful use of technology. Keywordsinteractive voice response systems; aging; cognitive abilities; interface In light of evidence that cognitive abilities play an important role in the performance of everyday activities (e.g., Diehl, Willis, & Schaie, 1995), researchers have attempted to identify and measure the influence of cognitive abilities on a wide variety of activities (e.g., Czaja et al., 2006;Kelley & Charness, 1995;Sharit, Czaja, Nair, & Lee, 2003). One such ability, spatial ability, has been shown to be predictive of performance on a wide variety of everyday tasks such as way finding, map reading and computer tasks such as text-editing, spreadsheet usage, map-and computer-based information search tasks, even when other more general ability factors are controlled (for a review, see Pak, Rogers, & Fisk, 2006). Spatial ability is generally defined as the ability to perceive and transform visual patterns (Ekstrom, French, Harman, & Dermen, 1976). In studies examining spatial ability and computer-based information search, measures of spatial ability (e.g., paper folding, cube comparison) show significant relationships © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Corresponding author: Richard Pak, richpak@clemson.edu, tel: (864) 656-1584, fax: (864) 656-0358. Publisher's Disclaimer: This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final citable form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. NIH Public Access NIH-PA Author ManuscriptNIH-PA Author Manuscript NIH-PA Author Manuscript with measures such as task completion time and error rates. However, a question that arises is whether the relationship between spatial ability and computer-based task performan...

Information presentation in small screen devices: The trade-off between visual density and menu foresight

“…The benefit by a proper information design e having a sufficient menu foresight and a high visibility e was especially large in the deep menu tasks. Confirming earlier findings in the literature Egan, 1988;Kim and Hirtle, 1995;Norman, 1994;Pak et al, 2008;Ziefle et al, 2007), high spatial abilities and a low field dependency considerably facilitated the orientation in technical menus. In contrast, high verbal memory abilities had less effect on navigation performance and did not hinder users from getting lost in the menu.…”

“…Research shows that older users face great difficulties in learning and using new computer applications Ziefle, 2007a, b, 2009;Czaja and Sharit, 1997;Kelly and Charness, 1995;Ziefle andBay, 2004, 2005). Due to profound age-related changes in sensory, physical, psychomotor, and cognitive functioning electronic displaying of information is a challenging issue (Armbrüster et al, 2007;Birren and Fisher, 1995;Fisk and Rogers, 1997;Gilbert et al, 2004;Haegerstrom-Portnoy et al, 1999;Kline and Scialfa, 1997;Oetjen and Ziefle, 2007;Pak et al, 2008;Park, 1999;Salthouse, 1996;Westermann, 1997;Ziefle and Bay, 2006;Ziefle et al, 2007). Contrary to current stereotypes, according to which seniors are unable or unwilling to learn new technologies, older users want to become acquainted with modern technologies Ziefle, 2006, 2008;Melenhorst et al, 2006).…”

“…Spatial abilities are essential for successful navigation (Willis and Schaie, 1986;Pak, 2001;Pak et al, 2008) in the menus of small screen devices (Ziefle and Bay, 2006;Ziefle et al, 2007). Field independence, the ability to separate an item from the context of which it is a part, exerts a strong influence upon navigation ability, as well as verbal memory abilities may also play a role in the integration of many items into a mental map.…”

Spatial Cues in Small Screen Devices: Benefit Or Handicap?

“…Yet, an increasing number of studies have been dealing with the usability of computer interfaces and small screen devices for older adults [1,2,3,4,11,19,20,21], addressing the impact of the demographic change. Only few studies considered the difficulties children experience [8,24,25,26] when using mobile devices.…”

“…A considerable number of studies underline the importance of spatial orientation processes for the proper handling of technical devices [4,5,9,10,11,12,13], especially small screen devices [1,2,6]. When interacting with complex menu structures, users need to build up a mental representation of the spatial structure of that menu in order to orient themselves.…”