| Title: |
Using Virtual Reality to Study Spatial Mapping and Threat Learning |
| Language: |
English |
| Authors: |
Claire E. Marino; Pavel Rjabtsenkov; Caitlin Sharp; Zonia Ali; Evelyn Pineda; Shreya Y. Bavdekar; Tanya Garg; Kendal Jordan; Mary Halvorsen; Carlos Aponte; Julie Blue; Xi Zhu; Benjamin Suarez-Jimenez |
| Source: |
npj Science of Learning. 2025 10. |
| Availability: |
Nature Portfolio. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://www.nature.com/npjscilearn/ |
| Peer Reviewed: |
Y |
| Page Count: |
9 |
| Publication Date: |
2025 |
| Sponsoring Agency: |
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) (DHHS/NIH) |
| Contract Number: |
R01MH131532; K01MH118428 |
| Document Type: |
Journal Articles; Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: |
Computer Uses in Education; Computer Simulation; Educational Research; Spatial Ability; Map Skills; Discrimination Learning; Safety; Conditioning; Anxiety; Context Effect; Likert Scales; Scores; Physiology; Fear |
| Assessment and Survey Identifiers: |
State Trait Anxiety Inventory |
| DOI: |
10.1038/s41539-025-00305-6 |
| ISSN: |
2056-7936 |
| Abstract: |
Using spatial mapping processes to discriminate between threat and safety is crucial for survival. Little is known why some fail to discriminate during contextual conditioning. We used a virtual reality (VR) contextual conditioning paradigm to elucidate the effects of state and trait anxiety on contextual threat learning. Participants (n = 70) "picked" flowers in a VR environment. Dangerous zone flowers predicted an electric shock, while safe zone flowers did not. Between trials, participants completed a spatial memory task. Galvanic skin response (GSR) and State Trait Anxiety Inventory scores were recorded. Participants were considered learners for correctly identifying both zones. Non-learners, compared to learners, performed worse during the spatial memory task and demonstrated higher state anxiety scores and GSR. Learners showed higher skin conductance response (SCR) in the dangerous compared to the safe zone, while non-learners showed no SCR differences between zones. Results indicate state anxiety may impair spatial mapping, disrupting contextual threat learning. |
| Abstractor: |
As Provided |
| Notes: |
https://doi.org/10.60593/ur.d.27172986 |
| Entry Date: |
2025 |
| Accession Number: |
EJ1462589 |
| Database: |
ERIC |