Subjectively optimal delay in computer response to a user's voluntary action.

Area of Science:

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Cognitive Psychology
• Perception Science

Background:

• The common assumption is that shorter computer response delays enhance user experience.
• Understanding user perception of response timing is crucial for interface design.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the optimal delay between a user's action and computer feedback.
• To determine if immediate responses are always perceived as superior.

Main Methods:

• 16 university students participated in the study.
• Participants judged the timing of auditory or visual stimuli following a mouse click with delays ranging from 0 to 400 milliseconds.
• Category scaling and adjustment methods were employed to assess user comfort.

Main Results:

• Delays of 50ms or less were perceived as too fast for both auditory and visual stimuli.
• Delays of 200ms+ (auditory) and 300ms+ (visual) were perceived as too slow.
• The optimal delay, determined by the adjustment method, was between 100-200ms, with visual stimuli requiring a longer delay than auditory ones.

Conclusions:

• Immediate computer responses are not always optimal for user comfort.
• Introducing a moderate delay can improve the user's sense of control and overall experience.
• Optimal delay timing varies between auditory and visual feedback modalities.