Virtual environments present an exciting new medium for the study of human behavior. Virtual environments immerse subjects in worlds that appear physically real, but where conditions can be controlled. In addition, virtual environments can realistically simulate dangerous circumstances that lead to injury without putting subjects at risk. The goal of this symposium is to bring together computer scientists, psychologists, neuroscientists, and engineers to talk about using virtual environments as tools for studying human behavior. Four psychologists will talk about their work using virtual environments to study problems such as elderly driving behavior, perceptual-motor learning, and space perception. The symposium will also include roundtable discussions of the types of problems that virtual environments might be well suited to address and the challenges of using virtual environments to address these types of problems.

Program of Events

Opening Remarks: Jay Semel, Directory of the Obermann Center for Advanced Studies and Jodie Plumert, Department of Psychology

Geoffrey Bingham, Indiana University "Investigating Space Perception and Reaching in Virtual Environments."

Herbert Pick, University of Minnesota "Age Differences in Spatial Orientation while Driving"

Roundtable discussion: What types of problems can be addressed using virtual
environment technology?

John Rieser, Vanderbilt University "Problems Using Virtual Environments to Probe the Organization of Perceptual- Motor Learning and the Calibration of Locomotion"

Karl Rosengren, University of Illinois "Interdisciplinary Approaches to Using Virtual Reality Technology"

Roundtable discussion: What are the challenges of using virtual environment technology as a tool for studying human behavior?

This symposium was sponsored by the Obermann Center for Advanced Studies, the Office of the Vice President for Research, the Department of Psychology, and the Computer Science Department. The Obermann Center for Advanced Studies is a place and a program dedicated to scholarship. The Obermann Center provides a uniquely supportive environment where scholars working individually or in collaboration can reflect, write, and meet in easy interchange. Obermann grant programs fund interdisciplinary projects and programs that explore broad frontiers of knowledge and investigate complex ideas and problems.