Schema and Spatial Memory VR Study

Researchers wanted to investigate how schemas affect spatial memory recall in virtual reality environments. They recruited 60 participants who were randomly allocated to either a schema-consistent environment group (Condition A) or a schema-inconsistent environment group (Condition B).

All participants wore identical virtual reality (VR) headsets and spent exactly 3 minutes exploring a virtual replica of a standard domestic kitchen.

• Condition A (schema-consistent group) explored a kitchen containing typical items, such as a kettle, a toaster, and a refrigerator.
• Condition B (schema-inconsistent group) explored the same kitchen layout, but with unusual items substituted, such as a soccer ball, a chainsaw, and a violin.

Immediately after removing the VR headset, all participants completed a surprise written recall test under controlled laboratory conditions, where they had 4 minutes to write down as many items as they could remember seeing in the virtual kitchen.