The Experiments

To converge on the problem of quantifying the contextual integration phenomenon, this project is comprised of three separate experiments, each greater in sophistication than the previous. Four elements, however, are common to all: Participants interact with an external, non-laboratory environment. Two tasks are performed, one related to the environment, the other varying in its relation to the environment and the first task. The first task always involves navigation throughout the environment. The second task always involves verbal material. The most exciting facet of this project, however, is its attempt to incorporate simulated environments in addition to the actual environments experienced by participants. If the simulated environments, used primarily in the third experiment, prove effective, then the way will be cleared for future experiments to utilize even more sophisticated manipulations of the contextual relationships.

UPDATE: The first two of the three planned experiments were completed for my PhD Dissertation, but the third experiment did not get past the pilot stage. The project is dormant for the moment, but a second, indoor environment was added to the simulator, so there are high hopes that the project will have an even wider scope when it is resumed some day. Since the first two experiments are completed, the links below have been added so the interested reader may learn more details about the overall project, including the specific design, some dependent measures, and its unique methods. Clicking the "Next" arrow button further below continues the original progression of this series of pages, which focuses on the computer simulation component of the project. Experimental DesignUnique Methods Last updated: Monday, April 5, 2004