Using Virtual Reality to Examine Memory and the Active Navigation effect in Younger and Older Adults

Aging is associated with a decline in spatial memory, which allows a person to retrieve information about and create mental images of the environment. Studies using virtual reality (VR) have shown better spatial memory when exploring using active compared to passive encoding for younger adults (YA), with mixed results for older adults (OA). The current thesis examines how age and navigation condition at encoding influence spatial memory. Twenty-two YA and eight OA both actively and passively explored a four-room virtual apartment. Subsequently, they performed a recognition test for apartment objects and scenes. Results showed an active navigation effect for OA, particularly for scene memory. These results are discussed in consideration of navigation condition and age. It is important to consider that the sample was small and overall performance was close to chance. Future directions will test a larger sample and examine the impact of executive function on spatial memory.