Pictorial Negations: Preferences for Different Circle-Slash Variations

Abstract

A circle with a 45-degree slash overlayed on a pictorial has been increasingly used to depict a negation. However, in some cases this overlay could obscure critical parts of the symbol making the depiction difficult to recognise. The present study investigated whether participants would judge the acceptability of various kinds of circle-slash negation differently. Sixteen pictorials in both left-facing and right-facing orientations were combined with four versions of the red circle and slash: a conventional slash over the symbol, a slash under the symbol, a translucent slash, and a partial slash. Sixty participants rank ordered the combinations. The results generally indicated that the over and under versions were preferred to the translucent or partial slashes, an effect probably attributable to familiarity and Gestalt principles of good figures. Some symbols were differentially affected by orientation and slash type. The over slash versions were given lower evaluations when critical features were obscured. The results have implications for the development of symbols with the circle-slash negation for improved identifiability.