Classification analysis on proximate contexts from graphic symbols

Abstract

Graphic symbol recognition is influenced by proximate context. Hence, this study used card sorting to classify the proximate context and conducted a cluster analysis to compare the differences in clustering processes between participants divided into “design group” and “general group.” Results showed that a high commonality in classifying proximate context existed between the design group and general group. Proximate contexts were classified into seven categories: “icon,” “sign,” “direction,” “direction + icon,” “human + icon,” “sign + icon,” and “icon + icon.” Additionally, three types of clustering differences were found: agreement difference, assignment difference, and sub-cluster difference.