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Psychological Aspects of German Signal Words in Evacuation Warnings

In: Pedestrian and Evacuation Dynamics 2012

Author

Listed:
  • Laura Künzer

    (Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Department of Intercultural Business Communication)

  • Gesine Hofinger

    (Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Department of Intercultural Business Communication)

  • Tina Zink

    (University of Regensburg, Department of Psychology)

Abstract

Signal words in evacuation warnings have an alerting and informing function related to the degree of danger. The psycho-acoustic urgency of the signal word used should match the contextual urgency (urgency mapping). In two experiments, characteristics of five German signal words were tested in the context of underground transportation systems. Participants rated the dimensions semantic field, urgency and explicitness for the German signal words. The German signal words were presented individually (exp. 1) or embedded in different loud speaker announcements with varying voice styles (exp. 2). As expected the ranking order for urgency was the same as for explicitness. Data showed that “Gefahr” is perceived as most urgent and most explicit. “Hinweis” is least urgent and least explicit. For the other three signal words used (“Vorsicht”, “Warnung”, “Achtung”) no clear order was found. “Achtung” is familiar in German announcements and warnings which influenced the ratings. Conclusions for the design of evacuation announcements are drawn.

Suggested Citation

  • Laura Künzer & Gesine Hofinger & Tina Zink, 2014. "Psychological Aspects of German Signal Words in Evacuation Warnings," Springer Books, in: Ulrich Weidmann & Uwe Kirsch & Michael Schreckenberg (ed.), Pedestrian and Evacuation Dynamics 2012, edition 127, pages 1135-1147, Springer.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:sprchp:978-3-319-02447-9_93
    DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-02447-9_93
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