Neurocognitive and psychophysiological analysis of human performance within virtual reality environments.

Monitoring the neurocognitive and psychophysiological activity of persons operating within a complex environment poses exacting measurement challenges. Three experiments are reported in this paper. In these experiments we made use of VRCPAT to assess persons' neurocognitive and psychophysiological responses to high-fidelity, immersive virtual environments. The first experiment provided continued support for the validity of the VRCPAT as a measure of learning and memory through the use of an increased sample size. In the second experiment we aimed at assessing whether an increase in stimulus complexity would result in a significant decrease in performance on attentional tasks. We also wanted to see whether an increase in stimulus intensity would result in a significant decrease in performance on attentional tasks. The third experiment looked at participants' psychophysiological responses in both low and high immersion virtual environments.

A virtual human agent for assessing bias in novice therapists.

Monitoring the psychological and physiological activity of persons interacting with virtual humans poses exacting measurement challenges. Three experiments are reported in this paper. In these experiments we made use of Virtual Human Agent technology to assess persons' psychological and physiological responses to Virtual Standardized Patients. The first experiment provided support for the usability of the Virtual Standardized Patients through the use of a virtual character emulating an adolescent male with conduct disorder. In the second experiment we further developed the technology and aimed at assessing whether novice mental health clinicians could conduct an interview with a virtual character that emulates an adolescent female who has recently been physically traumatized. The third experiment looked at the usability of Virtual Standardized Patients for eliciting psychophysiological responses following exposure to virtual humans representing different ethnicities.