This chapter discusses stereotypes and their use in the design of vehicle controls. The origin of stereotypes, their relationship to workload and to coding and their plasticity are considered. Literature on the automotive direction of motion stereotypes, general stereotypes and handedness are considered. Stereoptype determination methodology is discussed including sample size and statistical considerations, and an experimental investigation is described which aimed to determine the nature and strength of direction-of-motion stereotypes for as many present day controls as possible. Details are given of the apparatus, controls, subjects tested and procedure. Results are described for power mirrors, power windows, manual windows, stalk controls, generic controls and power doorlocks. Comments are made on stereotype strengths and some additional statistical results. A number of recommendations are made for the design of controls.
Abstract