Thesis
The effects of interactive CD-ROMs on attention
Washington State University
Master of Arts (MA), Washington State University
2004
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/183
Abstract
This thesis looked at the effects of an interactive CD-ROM on both automatic and controlled attention as well as recognition memory. Automatic attention was measured through heart rate when the segments changed in the CD-ROM. Controlled attention was operationalized through a self-reported questionnaire and heart rate data which was measured when the participants were viewing segments in the CD-ROM and when they were taking decisions. Results showed that interactivity did not play a significant role in securing attention. Participants in both the low and high interactive condition had similar heart rate patterns indicating that no automatic attention had been paid when the segments changed in the CD-ROM. Participants also had not exerted controlled attention when they had to take decisions on the interactive screen. Comparison of the selfreported data and the physiological measures showed that similar amounts of controlled attention had been paid in both the interactive conditions. Interactivity also did not have a significant effect on recognition memory. In both the conditions participants showed high rates of recognition of the stimulus material in a speeded recognition test. Results indicate that structural features failed to elicit orienting response in the interactive CD-ROM. Interactivity also did not have significant effects on controlled attention or recognition memory. These findings have far reaching implications for future message design in the context of the interactive media.
Metrics
13 File views/ downloads
20 Record Views
Details
- Title
- The effects of interactive CD-ROMs on attention
- Creators
- Madhuja Banerjee
- Contributors
- Paul David Bolls (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Edward R. Murrow College of Communication
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Arts (MA), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; Pullman, Wash. :
- Identifiers
- 99900525280101842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis