Perceived Hazard for Images Depicting before and during Consequences with Two Kinds of Prohibition Symbols

Abstract

This research examined the connoted danger level for symbols varying on type of prohibition symbol and depictions showing before- or during-injury consequences. One prohibition symbol was a red circle with a diagonal slash intended to show that the depicted event within the circle should not be performed. A similar, but less commonly used, prohibition symbol is the red circle without the slash. In the present research, 96 participants evaluated a set of symbols on two risk perception scales. Eight of the symbols viewed were manipulated with respect to a base concept depicting before- or during-injury consequences and type of prohibition. The results showed the symbols depicting during-consequence (injury) events produced significantly higher ratings than images showing before-consequence events. Symbols with a circle-slash prohibition were rated higher than the circle-alone prohibition, but only for some of the images. Symbols with both the prohibition circle-slash and during-consequences image tended to produce the highest ratings. In general, scoring participants' written interpretation of the symbols was relatively high for the manipulated images and did not differ as a function of condition. Very few critical confusions were noted (less than 5%) indicating, for example, no apparent confusions of “double negatives” when combining the during-injury consequences and the circle-slash prohibition symbol. More people expressed a negative (don't, no, not, or do not) in the verbal responses for images with the circle-slash prohibition symbol than with the circle-alone prohibition. Results and implications are discussed.