An Empirical Study of Operational Bias in Steering Tasks for Different User Groups

In this paper, three different operational biases-A (accuracy emphasis), N (neutral) and F (speed emphasis) are investigated in the circular steering task for both younger and older user groups when interacting with computer interface. Experimental results show that operational biases have significant effect on human performance for both younger and older groups. The controllable range is wider for younger users than that for older users in terms of MT. User group only has significant effect on SD (Standard Deviation), but also significant effect on MT in bias-A condition. Older user group produces more SD than younger users do in all the three speed or accuracy emphasis. The fitness of a complement model of steering law for older user group is also verified in this paper. Finally, several implications for user interface design have been presented.