Easy to Read Instructions Can Alter the Bottom Line
Motivation can be a critical factor for many worthwhile endeavors. Motivation can be enhanced or lessened by written instructions. Difficult To Read Instructions Decrease Motivation is a Science Daily article describing research documenting the importance of easily read directions.
An investigation of University of Michigan researchers Hyunjin Song and Norbert Schwarz focused on an how thinking about a task influences our attitude toward that task. Whether a task is seen as simple or complex affects attitude. But what determines the level of ease we associate with a task? Apparently it can be as simple as how easy or difficult it is to read related instructions.
College students were tested with respect to two different tasks. One entailed an exercise regimen and the other the preparation of sushi from a recipe. For both groups half the tested students were given directions in an easy to read font and the remainder in a difficult to read font. Not surprisingly groups having the easier to read exercise instructions and easier to read recipes believed that the workouts and the sushi preparation would take less time and would be easier to do. More significant though was the fact that the respective groups were more inclined to make exercise a daily routine and start the recipe. Clearer instructions lead to better understanding. That in turn leads to a greater likelihood that readers will take action and implement instructions. Initial perceptions of ease and difficulty influence initiative.
An investigation of University of Michigan researchers Hyunjin Song and Norbert Schwarz focused on an how thinking about a task influences our attitude toward that task. Whether a task is seen as simple or complex affects attitude. But what determines the level of ease we associate with a task? Apparently it can be as simple as how easy or difficult it is to read related instructions.
College students were tested with respect to two different tasks. One entailed an exercise regimen and the other the preparation of sushi from a recipe. For both groups half the tested students were given directions in an easy to read font and the remainder in a difficult to read font. Not surprisingly groups having the easier to read exercise instructions and easier to read recipes believed that the workouts and the sushi preparation would take less time and would be easier to do. More significant though was the fact that the respective groups were more inclined to make exercise a daily routine and start the recipe. Clearer instructions lead to better understanding. That in turn leads to a greater likelihood that readers will take action and implement instructions. Initial perceptions of ease and difficulty influence initiative.
Labels: Writing
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