Attentional control mechanisms in forming first impressions of data retrieval systems: exploring top-down and bottom-up factors

Purpose In response to the growing data needs of researchers, data retrieval systems have emerged as extensions of literature retrieval systems, often adopting brand extension strategies that replicate the user interfaces of established literature retrieval platforms. This design similarity seeks to leverage familiarity to cultivate positive first impressions, resulting in user interfaces that include both high goal-relevance areas (focused on data discovery) and low goal-relevance areas (modeled after literature retrieval). Without effective attention control, users may become distracted by the low goal-relevance areas, reducing their focus on data search tasks. This study aims to examine the attention control mechanisms employed by data searchers during the formation of their first impressions. Design/methodology/approach In this study, statistical analyses were conducted on experimental data to test hypotheses. Findings During first-impression formation, top-down and bottom-up factors significantly shape attention allocation. Specifically, visual saliency and goal relevance have both direct and interaction effects on attention allocation. Additionally, situational normality moderates the impact of negative affective memories on attention to low goal-relevance areas, indicating that while negative affective memories may lead to distraction, low situational normality can help alleviate this effect. Originality/value This study introduces first impression formation as a novel theoretical lens, exploring a critical yet overlooked aspect of user experience in data retrieval systems. It also develops a classification framework for interface areas based on their role in attentional control. The present study further uncovers the complex interplay between user cognition (goal orientation and affective memories) and interface design characteristics (visual saliency and situational normality), demonstrating how these factors collectively shape attentional dynamics during first impression formation.