The Effectiveness of an Interactive Warning in a Realistic Product-Use Situation

Abstract

Warning labels are widely used to convey information about the safe use of products. In an attempt to design better warnings, researchers are exploring factors that influence their effectiveness. One design factor that appears promising is an interactive label that requires manipulation by the consumer using the product. In the present research, the effectiveness of two interactive warning labels (with and without a color component) were compared to a standard label in the context of a realistic product-use task. Additionally, task load was manipulated (low vs. higher). The results showed that the interactive labels were noticed, recalled and complied to more often than the standard on-product label. No effect of increasing task load and adding color to the interactive label was observed. The results indicate that the interactive label is a viable means of facilitating warning effectiveness.

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