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The experimental literature on the effects of color on visual search and identification performance was reviewed. Forty-two studies published between 1952 and 1973 were located that gave results which could be used to determine the effectiveness of color codes relative to various types of achromatic codes. Quantitative analyses of these results indicated that color may be a very effective performance factor under some conditions, but that it can be detrimental under others. Tentative conclusions about the nature of these conditions were derived from the results. A guide for design decisions and an indication of knowledge gaps are also provided.
Richard E. Christ (Mon,) studied this question.