Because we pay more attention to a finger pointing in one direction than to the drawing of an arrow, according to a recent British study from the University of Exeter (United Kingdom) published in the specialized journal Perception . Through a series of experiments, the researchers verified that if our brain has to choose between a signal with the words "right" or "left" that indicates the way forward, an abstract symbol such as an arrow or the drawing of a hand with a finger pointing in one direction , the latter is detected much earlier by the human eye . Even the illustration of eyes looking in one direction has more effect than arrows, according to the study.
The authors, experts in Cognitive Neuroscience, conclude that the so-called "biological signals" (fingers, hands, eyes …) are more useful to direct attention , because they are naturally used in non-verbal communication. The findings could be applied to traffic signs and roads to reduce the number of accidents.
