Master’s Thesis Proposal Meeting

Date: Monday, August 5th, 2024

Time: 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm

Location: J.S. Coon 150 and/or virtual: Meeting link is here.  

Meeting ID: 286 881 976 020 Passcode: jbNc2F

Thesis Chair/Advisor: Scott Moffat, Ph.D. (Georgia Tech)

Thesis Committee Members:

Thackery Brown, Ph.D. (Georgia Tech)

Bruce Walker, Ph.D. (Georgia Tech)

Mark Wheeler, Ph.D. (Georgia Tech)

Title: Effects of Sensory Input Modality on Cognitive Mapping and Landmark Memory

Abstract: Previous research and theoretical models suggest that vestibular and proprioceptive input may enhance learning and memory of a navigated environment. However, most studies of virtual navigation have participants seated in front of a desktop monitor, eliminating, or greatly diminishing vestibular and proprioceptive feedback.  This proposed study investigates whether different sensory input modalities in virtual reality navigation tasks affect the acquisition of spatial knowledge of the environment. In the present experiment, participants will be randomly assigned to one of three virtual reality modalities: i) desktop only, ii) head-mounted display, and iii) head-mounted display combined with an omnidirectional treadmill. After learning a new virtual environment, participants will be tested on their knowledge of the environment using landmark recognition, directional pointing, and landmark placement as the main outcome measures. It is hypothesized that walking and using a head-mounted display will enhance spatial cognition, but not landmark recognition memory. This study will determine the extent to which movement and locomotion are important in navigation and mapping abilities.