There is growing interest in using high-immersion Virtual Reality (VR) simulators for commercial flight training. However, there are concerns regarding "cybersickness" and spatial disorientation immediately following prolonged exposure. A cognitive psychologist conducted a correlational study to investigate the relationship between daily time spent in a VR simulator and post-session spatial disorientation in trainee pilots.
The researcher obtained an opportunity sample of 8 trainee pilots, aged 21 to 25, from a flight academy. Each trainee recorded their average daily duration of immersive VR simulator sessions (in minutes) over a standard training week.
Directly following their final session, each trainee completed a standardized diagnostic self-report questionnaire assessing symptoms of spatial disorientation, nausea, and oculomotor strain. The questionnaire yielded a total disorientation score out of 60, where a higher score indicated severe symptoms of cybersickness, and a lower score indicated minimal or no discomfort.
The raw data collected in the study are shown in Table 1 below.
Table 1 Average daily VR session duration and post-session spatial disorientation scores of 8 trainee pilots
| Trainee Pilot | Average daily VR session length (minutes) | Spatial disorientation score |
|---|---|---|
| A | 45 | 38 |
| B | 15 | 12 |
| C | 60 | 52 |
| D | 30 | 22 |
| E | 75 | 58 |
| F | 20 | 18 |
| G | 40 | 33 |
| H | 50 | 41 |
The diagnostic questionnaire used to assess post-session spatial disorientation contained a combination of open and closed questions. Explain one advantage of using closed questions in this survey.
Practise AQA A Level Psychology Self-report techniques with exam-style questions for A Level Psychology. 38 questions, matched to the AQA A Level Psychology (7182) specification and written in Paper 1, Paper 2 and Paper 3 style. Every question includes a full worked solution and mark scheme, so you can see where marks are awarded rather than just whether you got the answer right.
