Fig. 1: Subcomponents in VR Object copying task.
From: Multifaceted consequences of visual distraction during natural behaviour
a In the temporally extended VR protocol, participants copied a “model” arrangement by selecting realistic objects from a “resource” pool and placing them into a “workspace” (Supplementary Movie 1). By manipulating the transparency of the distractor objects in the resource pool, the participants completed the task in either a high or low distraction condition (Supplementary Movie 2). When copying the objects, the model was positioned either directly above the workspace (low movement effort) or rotated 90° (high movement effort, Supplementary Movie 3). b Our VR protocol allowed us to break down the overall behavioural goal of copying the model arrangement by capturing several proxy measures of hallmark cognitive subcomponents. First, participants had to encode information from the model (i.e., Encoding). Next, participants searched for encoded objects in the resource pool (i.e., Visual search). Both picking up and placing an object additionally required participants to use information stored in memory (i.e., Memory usage). Critically, participants could choose when to look back at the model (rely on the external environment) or when to rely on memory to guide behaviour (i.e., Sensorimnemonic decisions).
