Three-dimensional spatial stimulus–response (S–R) compatibility for visual signals with hand and foot controls

This study investigated the performance of 24 participants in eight different three-dimensional spatial stimulus–response (S–R) mapping conditions. The stimulus visual signals were positioned at the corners of an imaginary cube, and responses were made by hands and feet. There was a significant interaction of visual signal position and response device position which demonstrated the existence of a strong spatial S–R compatibility effect in the task. Relatively faster reaction times and lower error percentages were obtained for the compatible S–R conditions. The spatial compatibility effect in the up–down dimension was the strongest, and the effect in the left–right dimension was stronger than the effect in the front–rear dimension. The findings of this study could be translated into practical and useful ergonomics recommendations for designing visual displays and control devices in three-dimensional space for improving overall human–machine system performance.