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Subliminal Cueing of Selection Behavior in a Virtual Environment

Aranyi, Gabor, Kouider, Sid, Lindsay, Alan, Prins, Hielke, Ahmed, Imtiaj, Jacucci, Giulio, Negri, Paolo, Gamberini, Luciano, Pizzi, David, Cavazza, Marc and others. (2014) Subliminal Cueing of Selection Behavior in a Virtual Environment. Presence: Teleoperators and Virtual Environments, 23 (1). pp. 33-50. ISSN 1054-7460. E-ISSN 1531-3263. (doi:10.1162/PRES_a_00167) (KAR id:55126)

Abstract

The performance of current graphics engines makes it possible to incorporate subliminal cues within virtual environments (VEs), providing an additional way of communication,

fully integrated with the exploration of a virtual scene. In order to advance the application of subliminal information in this area, it is necessary to explore how techniques

previously reported as rendering information subliminal in the psychological literature can be successfully implemented in VEs. Previous literature has also described the effects of subliminal cues as quantitatively modest, which raises the issue of their inclusion in practical tasks.We used a 3D rendering engine (Unity3D) to implement a masking paradigm within the context of a realistic scene and a familiar (kitchen) environment. We report significant effects of subliminal cueing on the selection of objects in a virtual scene, demonstrating the feasibility of subliminal cueing in VEs. Furthermore, we show that multiple iterations of masked objects within a trial, as well as the speeding of selection choices, can substantially reinforce the impact of subliminal cues. This is consistent with previous findings suggesting that the effect of subliminal stimuli fades rapidly. We conclude by proposing, as part of further work, possible mechanisms for the inclusion of subliminal cueing in intelligent interfaces to maximize their effects.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1162/PRES_a_00167
Uncontrolled keywords: Subliminal Perception, Subliminal Interfaces
Subjects: Q Science > QA Mathematics (inc Computing science) > QA 76 Software, computer programming, > QA76.9.H85 Human computer interaction
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Computing, Engineering and Mathematical Sciences > School of Engineering and Digital Arts
Depositing User: Marc Cavazza
Date Deposited: 22 Apr 2016 15:52 UTC
Last Modified: 08 Dec 2022 23:13 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/55126 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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