Abstract

In the present study, we examined the lexical decision reaction times and error rates when the form, spacing between syllables, and letter thickness in Hangul were manuplated in order to discover the optimum stumulus conditions for a traffic road sign. The results are as follows: First, when Hangul was presented in one of two popular forms-Gothic and Myoungjo-the Gothic presentation elicited lower reaction times and error rates. Second, inter-syllale spacing was varied(0.25. 0.50. 1.00. and 1.50 times the width of a syllble). reaction times and error rates were lowest at 0.50 and 1.00 times-syllable-width spacing, and higher at shorter and longer spacial intervals. Third, when letter thickness was varied in terms of stroke widthto-syllable height ratio(0.05. 0.10, 0.15 and 0.20) lexical decision reaction times and error rates were lowest in the 0.10 and 0.15 ratio conditions and highest in the 0.20 ratio conditions. Finally the suggestions and the limits of this study were discussed.