Exploring the Influence of Message Length, Location, Repeated Exposure and User Evaluation on Response to Warnings and Instructions

Forty-four participants performed two tasks: administering medication with a nebulizer and changing a vacuum cleaner bag. Within the context of each task, participants were exposed to a warning label containing either a single message or a total of five messages. Warning labels were placed so that participants would have to interact with and remove them in order to complete the tasks. Noticing and reading of the warning labels and compliance with a target message were assessed. Data on attention to and use of associated product manuals were also obtained. While the results showed no effect of the number of messages on noticing or reading of the labels or compliance with the target message, several interesting findings were observed. Reasons for non-compliance with warning messages were obtained and the implications of these data are discussed.