Experiences in virtual reality entail different processes of retrieval as opposed to conventional laboratory settings: A study on human memory

Virtual reality experiences promote autobiographical retrieval mechanisms: Electrophysiological correlates of laboratory and virtual experiences

“…Although both groups principally employed both, familiarity and recollection as non-exclusive retrieval mechanisms (see Jones and Jacoby, 2001), one mechanism predominated over the other as a function of the encoding context. Accordingly, encoding in VR resulted in a more precise and vivid retrieval than encoding the same scenario in a PC setup (Kisker et al, 2019b).…”

“…Given this impression of mutual interaction with the virtual surroundings, VR experiences are more personally and emotionally relevant than mere on-screen experiences (see Kisker et al, 2019a;Schöne et al, 2016, Schöne et al 2019. Hence, VR might improve the possibilities to investigate the mechanisms underlying real-life memory (see Parsons, 2015;Serino & Repetto, 2018;Schöne et al, 2016, Schöne et al 2019Kisker et al, 2019b;Burgess et al, 2001).…”

“…Initial studies of memory processes under immersive VR conditions found that retrieval of VR experiences is not only enhanced compared to the retrieval of conventional laboratory micro-events (see e.g. Serino & Repetto, 2018;Smith, 2019;Schöne et al, 2016, Schöne et al 2019Krokos, Plaisant, & Varshney, 2019;Ernstsen, Mallam & Nazir, 2019;Harman, Joel, Brown, Ross & Johnson, 2017), but also provides a closer approximation to real-life memory processes (Schöne et al, 2016;Schöne et al 2019;Kisker et al, 2019b). In particular, a previous study found evidence that immersive VR experiences become part of an extensive autobiographical associative network, whereas conventional video experiences remain an isolated episodic event (Schöne et al, 2019).…”

“…Atkinson & Juola, 1973;Jacoby & Dallas, 1981) which is associated with AM (Roediger & Marsh, 2003;Conway, 2005). In contrast, retrieval of memories induced by conventional laboratory settings predominantly fall back on familiarity-based mnemonic processes (Kisker et al, 2019b), characterized as a subjective, vague feeling to remember a previous experience (e.g. Curran & Hancock, 2007;Rugg & Curran, 2007).…”

Database of virtual objects to be used in psychological research

“…For instance, in the field of visual memory research, encoding, storage, and retrieval processes are investigated in conventional laboratory settings by using 2D visual stimuli presented on a blank screen under highly controlled experimental conditions. It has been argued that external validity is not warranted because in everyday life, learning and memory processes take place in interactive 3D contexts (e.g., [2]). Testing memory processes in real environments enhances external validity but reduces experimental control and experimental replicability.…”