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Abstract

This article is part of the more extended research program ‘cost and benefits of graphical user interfaces (GUI)’. In the present paper we report on an experiment that was designed to study the effects of pacing (internal versus external pacing of a computer task) and mental load (single versus dual task conditions) on task performance measures and on the grip forces applied by the subject in handling the computer mouse. The factors chosen are of importance in GUI design, especially since research points out that they play a role in RSI. Pacing means that the user is not completely free in fitting his strategies to the task demands (Wiethoff, 1997) and can therefore be taken as an additional source of stress. According to a recent theory on stress and performance (Van Gemmert & Van Galen, 1997) we expect that enhanced levels of stress deteriorate task quality and change the handling of the mouse during work at the computer. The results confirm these predictions.

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Influence of Pacing on Mental Load and Computer-Mouse Handling

Abstract

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