Virtual Environments for Targeting Cognitive Processes: An Overview of Projects at the University of Southern California

Abstract

The Virtual Environments Laboratory at the University of Southern California (USC) has initiated a research program aimed at developing virtual reality (VR) technology applications for the study, assessment, and rehabilitation of cognitive processes. This technology is seen to offer many advantages for these aims. The status of two ongoing VR projects will be discussed in this article. The projects outlined are being conducted via cooperative efforts with both the Integrated Media Systems Center and the Information Sciences Institute at USC. These departments consist of a multidisciplinary group of scientists that represents engineering, computer science, communications, information technology, education, and psychology. This mix of expertise has served to facilitate the development of these projects via an integrated approach to VR application development. The first project involves the development of a series of ImmersaDesk-delivered visuospatial tests and training tools that leverage the interactive, dynamic, and 3D assets that are available with current VR technology. The second project involves a head mounted display (HMD) VR system for the study, assessment, and possible rehabilitation of attention disorders. It is believed that these projects target cognitive variables that are well matched to the current strengths and limitations that exist with presently available VR technology.

How Important Is the Digital Divide? The Relation of Computer and Videogame Usage to Gender Differences in Mental Rotation Ability

“…Many studies have shown that experiential factors, including computer and videogame usage, are related to spatial skill, such as mental rotation (MR;De Lisi & Cammarano, 1996;De Lisi & Wolford, 2002;Duesbury & O'Neil, 1996;Larson et al, 1999;McClurg & Chaille, 1987;Okagaki & Frensch, 1994;Rizzo et al, 1999;Roberts & Bell, 2000;Saccuzzo, Craig, Johnson, & Larson, 1996;Sims & Mayer, 2002). Likewise, studies that were focused on the impact of training with computers (including videogames) have shown increases spatial ability.…”

“…Men not only perform at higher levels than women on tests of spatial ability, but they also tend to have had more spatial experiences (Baenninger & Newcombe, 1995;De Lisi & Cammarano, 1996;Grimshaw, Sitarenios, & Finegan, 1995;Nordvik & Amponsah, 1998;Tracy, 1990;Voyer, Nolan, & Voyer, 2000), including more computer and videogame usage (De Lisi & Cammarano, 1996;Dominick, 1984;Greenfield et al, 1994;Morlock & Yamanaka, 1985;Peters et al, 1995;Subrahmanyam & Greenfield, 1996). It has been suggested that those individuals with lower levels of computer or videogame experience, such as women, may have more room for improvement, and thus may improve more on spatial tasks as a result of computer use (Alington, Russell, & Monaghan, 1992;Gagnon, 1985;Rizzo et al, 1999;Saccuzzo et al, 1996;Subrahmanyam & Greenfield, 1996). Elevated performance on spatial tasks has even been elicited by simply facilitating familiarity with computers Roberts & Bell, 2000).…”

Joint Attention Virtual Classroom: A Preliminary Study

“…This difference generated more total head movements in the JA-VR classroom, which could be correlated with social interaction traits. In previous studies, head movements were considered an indicator of participants’ distraction levels [3,16,36] or psycho-pathological problems [1,36-38]. However, head movements could instead be considered social interaction markers, as in our JA-VR classroom.…”

COMMENTARIES on Blascovich et al.

“…This principle has focused our efforts on the development of VR tools that address attention-memory processes, visuospatial skills, and driving ability (Rizzo et al, 2000;Rizzo et al, 1998;Rizzo et al, 1999;Schultheis & Chute, 1999;Schultheis & Mourant, in press). Individuals with acquired brain injuries (ABI), learning disabilities, and neurological disorders manifest varying degrees of CNS dysfunction, and specific VR assets offer the potential to address various residual impairments beyond what is possible with existing methodologies.…”