(Quote) The sliders are indicative of additional % movement upto that many degrees of stick movement right? (end quote)
Not exactly Hazard, at least not to the best of my knowledge.
Think of it this way, if you could take your joystick, and starting at center pull straight back to the stops. So you have input starting at the center, going to max deflection. Now take that input and "slice" it into 10 pieces. Each piece gets a slider. You can now control how much input you want from your joystick for each "slice".
Same for pitch, roll, & rudder, and when your working with sliders make sure your on the one you want! Also as a general rule you can run roll a lot more aggressive than pitch. After all too much input on a roll won't stall you out. But too much on pitch can be deadly.
All sliders set all the way to the top would be 100% possible input across the board. Which is possible to fly like that if you have a very good joystick, and very good hands. But not really recomended for anyone else.
If you have a problem with the stick being quite sensitive, set the first 6 sliders low, in a slow upward curve. (This should be below the default stairstep) Step up fast with the last 4 so you end up at the top with the last one. This minimises control input near the center, giveing you finer control for gunnery, etc.
A lot depends on your joystick, how sensitive it is, your hands, & how "smooth" you fly. If your a yanker & banker, by all means tune that stick down a bit.
If you feel your not getting enough input, try raising them. But I'd advise to leave at least the first 3 sliders not maxed out. IE first at 1/4, 2nd at 1/2, 3rd at 3/4 then max them all after that. This will at least give you SOME finer control near the center.
The long & short of it is everyone is different, and has different needs.
There is no yardstick as to whats "right", there is only what works for you.
If in doubt, take a hour jump into the TA, and try out a couple of different setups. See what works.