Abstract

Three experiments explore several factors which influence information transmission when warning messages are passed from person to person. In Experiment 1, messages were passed down chains of participants using five different modes of communication. Written communication channels resulted in more accurate message transmission than verbal. In addition, some elements of the message endured further down the chain than others. Experiment 2 largely replicated these effects and also demonstrated that simple repetition of a message eliminated differences between written and spoken communication. In a final field experiment, chains of participants passed information however they wanted to, with the proviso that half of the chains could not use telephones. Here, the lack of ability to use a telephone did not affect accuracy, but did slow down the speed of transmission from the recipient of the message to the last person in the chain. Implications of the findings for crisis and emergency risk communication are discussed.

Publication Date

2015-01-01

Publication Title

Applied Ergonomics

Volume

48

ISSN

0003-6870

Acceptance Date

2014-12-16

Deposit Date

2024-06-04

Keywords

Communication channel, Crisis and emergency risk communications, Warning design, Adolescent, Adult, Cell Phone, Communication, Electronic Mail, Emergencies, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Risk, Speech, Text Messaging, Writing, Young Adult

First Page

252

Last Page

262

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