Virtual Reality Environment for the Teaching of Experimental Behavior Analysis

Abstract

One of the main challenges faced by researchers, educators, and students interested in the experimental analysis of behavior is the high cost of experimental equipment and the limited availability of infrastructure, such as vivariums and animal behavior laboratories. Virtual reality allows users to experience three-dimensional environments generated by computers, which may or may not resemble the external world, offering new opportunities for the teaching of experimental behavior analysis. In this context, the Behavior Analysis VR Learning Hub was developed. This platform offers a gamified virtual journey through the vivarium, the historical development of the operant conditioning chamber, and simple reinforcement schedules, all from the perspective of a rat. Its design was based on technical datasheets of commercial equipment, historical photographs of devices across different periods, and the diagrams described by Skinner (1956) in “A Case History in Scientific Method”. The 3D models were created using Rhinoceros 3D software, and the environment was programmed in Unity with the support of the Spatial Creator Toolkit. The platform is compatible with web browsers, mobile devices, and virtual reality headsets. The usability of the platform and its effectiveness in teaching concepts related to experimental behavior analysis were evaluated. A total of 54 undergraduate psychology students from Estado de Mexico and Sonora participated in the study. Participants completed a pretest and posttest focused on the platform’s content, as well as questionnaires assessing their prior contact with behavior analysis and their user experience. The results showed a statistically significant increase in posttest scores, regardless of participants’ prior familiarity with behavior analysis. Additionally, there was a general trend of positive acceptance regarding the platform’s usability and user experience. However, lower levels of acceptance were observed among participants from Estado de México regarding the pleasantness, ease of use, and clarity of navigation. The possibility of implementing improvements in a second version is discussed, such as including a training phase for navigation and ensuring the permanence of informational points. Nevertheless, despite these limitations, it is considered that this platform may serve as a valuable educational tool for introducing students to the history and management of experimental equipment used in animal behavior laboratories, thereby helping to bridge the gap in practical experience that currently exists in this field of training.