The effects of display size on performance

Area of Science:

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Cognitive Psychology
• Ergonomics

Background:

• Understanding the impact of display size on user performance is crucial for effective interface design.
• Previous research has not systematically evaluated display size effects across varying time pressures and cognitive tasks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the systematic effects of display size on task performance, including response speed, accuracy, and subjective workload.
• To determine the influence of different screen sizes and time pressure levels on cognitive and psychomotor tasks.

Main Methods:

• Conducted three experiments using a standard perceptual and cognitive test battery.
• Varied screen sizes (four levels) and time pressure (three levels) while measuring performance metrics.
• Assessed response speed, response accuracy, and subjective workload.

Main Results:

• Time pressure universally affected all performance measures (speed, accuracy, workload).
• Display size effects were dependent on viewing conditions and time pressure.
• Performance decrements and increased workload were observed only on the smallest display size under high time pressure.

Conclusions:

• A minimum display screen size threshold is identified for specific task demands.
• Findings inform the design and implementation of interfaces across various cognitive and psychomotor tasks.
• Optimizing display size is critical for maintaining performance and managing workload under time constraints.