Dottorato in PSICOLOGIA SOCIALE, DELLO SVILUPPO E DELLA
RICERCA EDUCATIVA

Titolo della tesi: Exploring Spatial Navigation through Virtual Reality: Devopment and Application of Virtual Radial Arm Maze Task

The present dissertation, titled "Exploring Spatial Navigation through Virtual Reality: Development and Application of Virtual Radial Arm Maze Task," delves into the utilization and evolution of Virtual Reality (VR) technology in cognitive research, with a specific focus on spatial navigation and memory. This comprehensive research is structured into four main chapters, each targeting distinct aspects of VR and its application in understanding human spatial abilities, particularly through the Radial Arm Maze (RAM) task in both real and virtual environments. The dissertation begins with a historical overview of VR technology, identifying key elements such as immersion, presence, and interaction, and their roles in creating convincing virtual environments. It emphasizes the significance of VR in various disciplines, including psychology for therapeutic interventions and neuroscience for studying brain functions and cognitive processes. The second chapter presents a detailed review of the RAM task, comparing its application in real-world and VR settings to assess spatial navigation abilities. This review highlights VR's potential in cognitive assessment and the diagnosis of spatial memory deficits. A pivotal component of the dissertation is the pilot study outlined in the third chapter, which investigates the efficacy of a VR immersive RAM task in assessing spatial navigation abilities. This empirical study aims to bridge identified gaps in earlier chapters, applying VR technology to assess human spatial abilities in a controlled experimental setting. The findings from this pilot study offer insights into the practical applications of immersive VR in cognitive research. The fourth chapter expands on this foundation with a comparative analysis between traditional real-world RAM tasks and the innovative virtual immersive counterpart developed in the pilot study. It explores the cognitive underpinnings of spatial navigation in both settings, examining how spatial memory and navigation abilities translate between real-world and VR environments. The dissertation evaluates the implications of these findings for the broader application of VR in cognitive assessment and intervention, underscoring VR's potential for offering nuanced insights into cognitive processes related to daily activities. In summary, this dissertation underscores the transformative potential of VR technology in cognitive research, especially in studying human spatial abilities through the RAM task. By integrating historical insights, literature reviews, empirical research, and comparative analyses, it illuminates the significant benefits and challenges of employing VR in cognitive science. The insights gained from the pilot study and comparative analysis highlight the importance of VR as a powerful tool for cognitive research, offering promising directions for future studies and applications in cognitive assessment and rehabilitation of spatial abilities.