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The use of virtual reality for a human classical conditioning procedure

Abstract:

The present study investigated the use of a VR stereoscopic figure as conditioned stimulus (CS). A differential conditioning procedure was applied on 67 participants, where a VR stereoscopic figure (CS+) was paired with electric shock and other VR stereoscopic figure (CS-) was presented without shock. Evaluative and expectancy measures were taken. Results showed that, after acquisition, the CS+ by itself became a more negative stimulus, as evidenced by the evaluative ratings. Besides, the presentation of the CS+ evoked an active expectancy of the unconditioned stimulus (US). The use of VR stereoscopic figures as CSs seems feasible to design innovative experimental paradigms.