Integration Of Concurrent Visual And Auditory Messages

Two experiments were performed involving the concurrent presentation to human subjects of two messages, one auditory and one visual, followed by a question requiring information from both messages. The results indicated that bimodally-presented information can be integrated for decision making. However, there was no evidence of an advantage to bimodal presentation as a means of unburdening an overloaded sense. The implications of the results for displays and communications in complex control centers are discussed and directions for future research are suggested. (Author).