Now Available: Preliminary Investigation in Attention to Human Figures in Photographs, Considerations for AAC VSDs — Publication

Wilkinson, K., and Light, J. (2012).  Preliminary investigation of visual attention to human figures in photographs: Potential considerations for the design of aided AAC visual scene displays.  Journal of Speech Language Hearing Research, 54 (6):  1644-1677.  [Full Text].
 Many individuals with complex communication needs may benefit from visual aided augmentative and alternative communication systems. In Visual Scene Displays (VSDs), language concepts are embedded into a photograph of a naturalistic event. Humans play a central role in communication development, and might be important elements in VSDs. However, many VSDs omit human figures. In this study, we sought to describe the distribution of visual attention to humans in naturalistic scenes as compared to other elements.
Conclusions demonstrated evidence that human figures attract attention in a photograph even when presented alongside other attractive distracters. Results suggest that humans may be a powerful means to attract visual attention to key elements in VSDs.